“An Early Bloom”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
Some plants seem to be blooming earlier then ever before. I don’t know if they are more established now and if that could be the reason. We had a cooler than normal spring, so it can’t be that they started growing sooner after winter dormancy. It is a little puzzling.
One plant that is blooming sooner is the butterfly ginger. It usually doesn’t start blooming until the end of August, first part of September. I do not mind its early appearance because of the wonderful scent it sends out all over the back garden. I just hope that the plants have a long blooming period because it would be a shame not to have the flowers in the early fall.
I have had these plants about eight years, and they have really done well. Most of the stalks are about seven feet tall this year, the tallest they have ever been. They add a stateliness to the back of the border. Most of these were given to me by my daughter’s mother-in-law, and a few I bought. They have multiplied well.
This is the only bloom that has opened so far, but it is surprising how it perfumes that section of the garden. I can hardly wait until more open.
Always Growing 
Nancy Bond said,
July 19, 2008 at 11:38 pm
How beautiful, and so stately. They really do make a great backdrop.
Jan said,
July 20, 2008 at 5:51 am
Yes, Nancy, the tall stalks do add a different element to a garden bed. I just wish they would last throught the winter.
Alexandra said,
July 20, 2008 at 7:48 am
The garden looks so beautiful. I’ve not heard of butterfly ginger before. I’ll have to get out my garden book and look that up. I love flowers that give up wondeful scents. I have some Russian Sage and Catnip in my garden this year! 🙂
PS I tagged you today…it’s up to you if you want to participate. I just thought it would be nice to learn some more about my new blogger friends.
Thank you for your love and prayers.
xo
Jan said,
July 20, 2008 at 9:00 am
Alexandra, I’ll save you the trouble of looking it up. Try this site http://www.floridata.com/ref/H/hedyc.cfm.
The botanical name is Hedychium coronarium. This particular one is a favorite in the South.
AnnA said,
July 20, 2008 at 9:44 am
I was curious if you were going to comment on how good they smell. I’ve never had that chance and would love to know what its aroma reminds me of. Is it like the spice ginger? How would you describe it?
Jan said,
July 20, 2008 at 8:12 pm
AnnA, the butterfly ginger’s scent is hard to describe. It is like a light gardenia aroma but with a touch of vanillia. It is stronger at night. Just a few flowers scent a whole garden, but it is not a cloying aroma. It is truly heavenly. Sometimes, I bring some inside to float in a bowl for the scent as well as the pretty flowers.
Phillip said,
July 21, 2008 at 12:15 pm
I love the fragrance of the ginger lily. Mine are not blooming yet. I did notice that the pink ladies are blooming and that seems a bit early.
Jan said,
July 21, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Phillip, certain plants do seem to be blooming early. I noticed a toad lily bloom today, and they do not bloom usually until early fall.
Wicked Gardener said,
July 22, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Jan – I don’t know about you, but we’ve had a realtively cool, wet summer and I figured that is what causing them to bloom early. I wish I could smell them. I can’t smell much of anything – haven’t since birth. Usually don’t notice it much, but the butterfly ginger makes me wish I could! I’d love try some new colors next year. If you do anything that keeps your ginger blooming, let me know!!
Jan said,
July 22, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Well, we have had a very dry summer, of course, I have been watering a great deal. I thought maybe since the fall is very dry, the plants were responding to the dry weather like it is fall and are blooming now. Who knows?