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Products > Hedychium gardnerianum 'Tara'   Hedychium gardnerianum 'Tara' - Tara Ginger Note: This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.     Habit and Cultural Information Category: Tropical Family: Zingiberaceae (Gingers) Origin: Nepal (Asia) Flower Color: Orange Red Bloomtime: Summer/Fall Synonyms: [Hedychium coccineum 'Tara'] Height: 6-8 feet Width: 3-4 feet Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade Irrigation (H2O Info): High Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F Hedychium gardnerianum 'Tara' (Tara Ginger) - A strong growing ginger to 6-8 feet tall with blue-green stems topped with 18 inch long spikes bearing the inflorescence of 4 to 6 fragrant orange-red flowers that appear in succession, or sometimes two at a time, over an extended period from summer through fall. The fragrance of the flowers is likened to that of a Gardenia. This plant originated from seed collected in Nepal by Tony Schilling of Kew Gardens. The resulting seedlings were uniform and collectively were named 'Tara' in 1972 to honor Schilling's daughter.The word 'tara' is Nepalese for "star". It was originally identified as a selection of Hedychium coccineum by Brian Mathew, but more recently as a form or hybrid of Hedychium gardnerianum by Hedychium specialist Tom Wood. It has also been noted in some catalogs as Hedychium densiflorum. Plant in full sun (coastal) to light shade and irrigate regularly. It is a very hardy Hedychium, succeeding in cooler climates than most and is noted as successful to USDA zone 7 (0-10° F). In cooler climates the foliage freezes down but it is evergreen in our nearly frost-free coastal garden. It is considered a superior ginger that blooms earlier and longer than most others. It is held with such regard in England that it has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.  The information on this page is based on our library and online research, as well as from observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery's garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We have also incorporated comments received from others, and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information, particularly if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Hedychium gardnerianum 'Tara'.