Costus (Spiral Ginger, Stepladder Plant)

Plant in moist, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil in partial to full shade; spiral ginger is one of the most structurally unusual and striking plants for the tropical shade garden — the broad, elliptical leaves are arranged in a tight spiral up the stem (giving it the name 'stepladder plant'), and the plant culminates in a dense, pinecone-like terminal inflorescence of overlapping red bracts from which large, white, orchid-like flowers emerge one at a time over several weeks. The architectural form of the spiraling stems creates a dramatic, bold presence in the shaded garden. It is one of the best shade-tolerant tropicals for Gulf Coast gardens and makes an excellent companion for heliconias, anthuriums, and alocasias in the tropical shade garden. Cut old stems to the ground after flowering; new stems arise from the base. Спосіб посадки: Розмноження діленням куща Відстань між рослинами: 24–36 дюймів Висота: 48–120 дюймів Дні до схожості: 14–28 Температура ґрунту для схожості: 21–27°C

Plant in moist, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil in partial to full shade; spiral ginger is one of the most structurally unusual and striking plants for the tropical shade garden — the broad, elliptical leaves are arranged in a tight spiral up the stem (giving it the name 'stepladder plant'), and the plant culminates in a dense, pinecone-like terminal inflorescence of overlapping red bracts from which large, white, orchid-like flowers emerge one at a time over several weeks. The architectural form of the spiraling stems creates a dramatic, bold presence in the shaded garden. It is one of the best shade-tolerant tropicals for Gulf Coast gardens and makes an excellent companion for heliconias, anthuriums, and alocasias in the tropical shade garden. Cut old stems to the ground after flowering; new stems arise from the base. Спосіб посадки: Розмноження діленням куща Відстань між рослинами: 24–36 дюймів Висота: 48–120 дюймів Дні до схожості: 14–28 Температура ґрунту для схожості: 21–27°C --- Час посадки: 2–8 тижнів spring Plant rhizome divisions in moist, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil in partial to full shade; costus is one of the most shade-tolerant of all ornamental gingers and grows naturally as a forest understory plant in tropical Asia. In zone 8–9 the tops die back in frost but roots resprout reliably from established clumps.