Costus dubius (Green grenade ginger, Ornamental ginger)

Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => 202 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /gardening/native-grasses-dianellas-and-lomandras.php [page_status] => Published [number_of_ads] => 5 [can_use_editor] => 1 [last_modified_date] => 2013-09-16 00:00:00 [last_modified_by] => Alan [checked_for_duplicate_content] => [title] => Native grasses and friends [heading] => Native grasses and friends [meta_description] => An exciting thing is happening in the world of Australian plants. Wild species that have tantalised gardeners in the past are now being improved to create a diverse palette of new varieties that offer all kinds of advantages. In particular, the necessity for water-wise, low maintenance gardens has inspired interest in plants that can be used as ground covers that will not only suppress weeds and erosion but also look fantastic. [article_category_1] => Gardening [article_category_2] => [article_category_3] => [article_category_4] => [article_category_5] => [business_category_1] => Landscaper [business_category_2] => Nursery [business_category_3] => Garden Designer [business_category_4] => Landscape Architect [business_category_5] => [number_of_google_mrecs] => [show_google_ad_bottom_of_page] => [show_get_quotes_top_of_page] => [show_get_quotes_rhs_of_page] => [show_directory_search_widget] => [show_trending_content_widget] => [show_facebook_widget] => [show_further_reading_section] => 1 [show_sponsors_section] => 0 [show_top_article_ad] => 1 ) [1] => Array ( [id] => 7 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /landscaping/gabion-walls.php [page_status] => Published [number_of_ads] => 2 [can_use_editor] => 1 [last_modified_date] => 2013-09-10 00:00:00 [last_modified_by] => Alan [checked_for_duplicate_content] => [title] => Stone Gabion walls and fencing [heading] => Stone Gabion fencing and retaining walls [meta_description] => Gabion is a wire basket or wire form, filled with stones and shaped into a fence or retaining wall type structure. Read this article to learn more. [article_category_1] => Landscaping [article_category_2] => [article_category_3] => [article_category_4] => [article_category_5] => [business_category_1] => Landscaper [business_category_2] => Nursery [business_category_3] => Garden Designer [business_category_4] => Landscape Architect [business_category_5] => [number_of_google_mrecs] => 1 [show_google_ad_bottom_of_page] => 1 [show_get_quotes_top_of_page] => 1 [show_get_quotes_rhs_of_page] => 1 [show_directory_search_widget] => 1 [show_trending_content_widget] => 1 [show_facebook_widget] => 1 [show_further_reading_section] => 1 [show_sponsors_section] => 1 [show_top_article_ad] => 1 ) [2] => Array ( [id] => 439 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /gardening/Five-best-grasses-for-australian-lawns.php [page_status] => Published [number_of_ads] => 4 [can_use_editor] => 1 [last_modified_date] => 2013-09-16 00:00:00 [last_modified_by] => Alan [checked_for_duplicate_content] => [title] => Five best grasses for australian lawns [heading] => Five best grasses for Australian lawns [meta_description] => Description of the 5 best grasses for Australian lawns - including native grasses. [article_category_1] => Gardening [article_category_2] => [article_category_3] => [article_category_4] => [article_category_5] => [business_category_1] => Landscaper [business_category_2] => Nursery [business_category_3] => Garden Designer [business_category_4] => Landscape Architect [business_category_5] => [number_of_google_mrecs] => 1 [show_google_ad_bottom_of_page] => 1 [show_get_quotes_top_of_page] => 1 [show_get_quotes_rhs_of_page] => 1 [show_directory_search_widget] => 0 [show_trending_content_widget] => 0 [show_facebook_widget] => 0 [show_further_reading_section] => 1 [show_sponsors_section] => 1 [show_top_article_ad] => 1 ) [3] => Array ( [id] => 154 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /landscaping/green-wall.php [page_status] => Published [number_of_ads] => 2 [can_use_editor] => 1 [last_modified_date] => 2013-09-10 00:00:00 [last_modified_by] => Alan [checked_for_duplicate_content] => [title] => Green walls (or Vertical Garden) [heading] => Green walls (or Vertical Garden) [meta_description] => Learn how to create an amazing vertical garden wall using a variety of plants including herbs. [article_category_1] => Landscaping [article_category_2] => [article_category_3] => [article_category_4] => [article_category_5] => [business_category_1] => Landscaper [business_category_2] => Nursery [business_category_3] => Garden Designer [business_category_4] => Landscape Architect [business_category_5] => [number_of_google_mrecs] => 1 [show_google_ad_bottom_of_page] => 1 [show_get_quotes_top_of_page] => 1 [show_get_quotes_rhs_of_page] => 1 [show_directory_search_widget] => 1 [show_trending_content_widget] => 1 [show_facebook_widget] => 1 [show_further_reading_section] => 1 [show_sponsors_section] => 1 [show_top_article_ad] => 1 ) )

Plant description

Costus dubius, the green grenade ginger, is a perennial, tropical, herbaceous plant from Africa. It grows from a rhizome, and has beehive type flowers that grow from the base of the plant. It can produce many flowers in spring and summer, and in good conditions these can form a carpet of flowers. It is not frost tolerant, so is good for tropical to sub-tropical areas, or frost free temperate cimates. It makes a good landscaping plant , as it has lush foliage. It can be grown as a large container plant.

Costus like free draining soils with plenty of organic matter.  They like  a part shaded position. Regular applications of fertiliser every 4-6 weeks, and regular watering will ensure good growth of the plant. Mulching of the plant will conserve soil moisture and will minimise weed competition.

Propagation is by division of the plant

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: white and yellow
Flowering season: spring summer

Plant size

Maximum height: 2 metres
Minimum height: 1 metres

Maximum width: 2 metres
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

Will tolerate partial sunlight.
Light frost tolerance.
Plant is not salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Not specified.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: subtropical, tropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: moist, well-drained.

Clay: moist, well-drained.

Sand: moist.

Soil pH: 6.0-6.5

Pests

Red spider mite

Miscellaneous information

Planting season: Any.

Types of fertiliser: not specified.

Find a nursery       Search for another plant