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Hedychium densiflorum A. D. Schiling 582
Accepted name Hedychium densiflorum A. D. Schilling 582
Synonyms Distribution Description References Comments This lovely form of Hedychium densiflorum was collected by Tony Schilling as he describes here: From: Tony Schilling, A survey of cultivated Himalayan and Sino-himalayan Hedychium species. The Plantsman 4 (3): 129 - 149. (1982).
In 1965, whilst involved in the setting up of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Godavari in the Kathmandu Valley, I collected an unusual form of Hedychium densiflorum (Schilling 582) from the lushly forested slopes of Phulchoke, a foothill which dominates that lovely corner of the valley. It grew in large groups at 2,000 m (6,500 ft) at the edge of Quercus/Rhododendron forest and bore attractive slightly scented apricot orange flowers on a more open inflorescence than is usual for the species. This form, although a handsome and gardenworthy plant under glass, is not truly hardy even in the gentle climate of Sussex, but, for all that, it is an attractive addition to any specialist collection.I saw a similar, perhaps even the same plant on Phulchoke in 1999 (see images below).
Together with 'Stephen' and 'Sorung', A. D. Schilling 582 seems to form a distinct group of large-flowered Hedychium densiflorum which are compared here.
The colour of the flowers is very subtle but A. D. Schilling 582 seems to us to be a "pink apricot orange". Although collected many miles apart, A. D. Schilling 582 is similar to Edward Needham's 'Sorung' even sharing the characteristic of a variably split labellum. A. D. Schilling 582 and 'Sorung' are compared here.
As Tony Schilling mentions, this is not the hardiest of forms of Hedychium densiflorum. It does grow outdoors in Cornwall and Somerset and would no doubt do well in some sheltered town gardens. A. D. Schilling 582 should be grown initially in the cold greenhouse or conservatory, in a large container or in a border, but once it has grown sufficiently for a piece of rhizome to be removed it may be tried outside.