Hedychium ‘Raffillii’ is hard to miss in the mid-August garden, with its brilliant floral show. It’s little wonder this 1941 Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (AGM) winner is touted as one of the finest ginger lilies ever introduced. For us, this Hedychium coccineum selection is one of the earlier ginger lilies to flower, often starting for us in early- to mid-July. Hybridized by the late Charles Percival Raffill, former assistant curator at Kew Gardens, the 5-6′ tall sturdy clumps are topped with giant 18″ flower heads of fragrant, brilliant orange flowers. Mature clumps may produce as many as 50 flower spikes open at once.
