The ‘Daniel Weeks’ ginger lily is an herbaceous perennial in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). The cultivar was developed in Florida from a hybrid, possibly Hedychium flavescens x H. gardnerianum. We have no information on the identity of Daniel Weeks. Plant in full sun to partial shade in consistently moist, humus-rich soil. It is a tropical plant, so protect the rhizome with a thick layer of mulch over winter, or bring the plant inside. 'Daniel Weeks' can form a 3- to 4-foot-wide clump of arching canes after a few growing seasons and is one of the longest-blooming gingers. It flowers from late July or early August until frost with showy blooms of butter yellow with a golden-yellow eye. In the early evening, the flowers fill the air with a honeysuckle fragrance. These plants lend a tropical look and fragrance to the border. You can use them in groups, borders or containers. It makes a fine conservatory plant. It is appropriate for an Asian, pollinator, children’s or rain garden. Its evening perfume makes this plant a good choice for a sensory garden or night garden. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No significant diseases or insect pests. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee. More information on Hedychium .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheDianthus caryophyllusEchinacea purpurea PowWow® Wild Berry 'PAS702917'Lantana camara 'Miss Huff'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial; Houseplant
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Clumping; Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath; Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Papery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Strappy leaves are borne alternately in 2 ranks along the stem.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Funnel; Irregular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Four-foot-tall stalks are topped with golden-yellow flowers with a dark gold throat. Fragrant, four-petalled, with long stamens, resembling butterflies. They emit a strong honeysuckle aroma in the evening.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Three-part capsules change from green to brown as they ripen in the late fall. Each contains seeds surrounded by fleshy orange arils.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and moths.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds; Moths
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Colorful; Easy to Grow; Fragrance; Textural
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Patio; Pond; Pool/Hardscape; Slope/Bank; Small Space; Vertical Spaces
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Butterfly Garden; Children's Garden; Cottage Garden; Garden for the Blind; Nighttime Garden; Pollinator Garden