Hedychium coronarium

Butterfly ginger stalks emerge from a thick, slowly growing rhizome and grow skyward through the spring and summer. In late summer, pinecone-like buds form atop the thick 5' tall stems. Starting in midsummer, the white (with a central yellow blotch), 2" wide, butterfly-shaped flowers of Hedychium coronarium begin to open, a few each day, perfuming the air with a rich honeysuckle-like fragrance until frost...ooh la la! Hedychium coronarium is a real attention-getter in the summer garden. Slightly moist, well-drained soils produce the best flowering.