| |
Costus
guanaiensis, also named Spiral ginger, can grow to 9 feet
tall in frost-free areas. It is native to tropical
regions of South America. It's related to the gingers and
was originally part of the Zingiberaceae family, but now
the Costus species have been reclassified into their own
family, Costaceae. As with most gingers, this plant is
easy to grow with virtually no pest problems.
Spiral ginger is a tall and handsome landscape plant with
large green leaves with a yellowish side, up to 20 cm
long or more, about 4-6 cm wide, arranged on the stalk in
a spiral. It produces spiralling stems of magnificent
white, pink and yellow flowers. The flowers appear in
late summer or early fall. Costus guanaiensis is
distinguished by its green bracts with green leafy
appendages and large mostly white spreading flowers. The
amount of reddish color in the flowers varies.
Hardiness zones 8-11, (-10ºC/15ºF, 4ºC/40ºF) in
winter. For best results, this plant should get from 3 to
5 hours of direct sunlight daily, and be grown in fertile,
organic, moist but well-drained soil. Requires
consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between
waterings. Monthly applications of a balanced fertilizer
during the summer growing season will benefit this plant.
Spiral ginger grows from thick fleshy roots called
rhizomes. A single rhizome will produce new shoots and
increase to a 3 feet wide clump in the second year under
ideal growing conditions. It's important that the rhizome
be kept dry during winter, but in spring, when growth
starts, it should be well fertilized and watered.
|
|