Common Name: Spiral Ginger Botanic name: Costus barbados
Description: An evergreen rhizomatous ginger that grows between 2m tall x 1.5m across. The leaves, a lush mid green have suede plush reverse to around 350mm long unfurling from canes. Conspicuous pillar-box red terminal bracts the size and shape of pine cones from December to April in Sydney, house edible waxy yellow candle-like flowers that emerge in a spiral as do the leaves. A frost-free position is required but it will endure cooler temperatures down to zero in winter once established.
Care: Prune old stems in late winter to maintain a more compact form. Great for a luxuriant effect beneath tall trees with tall cordylines like C. negra or used within garden space where the spectacular flower cones present to the viewer from above. A great signature characteristic inclusion for the tropical garden.
Use in the garden: An excellent tropical plant for a tropical style garden. The spiraling form is unusual.
Here it grows happily beside Alcanterea imperialis, the Giant Bromeliad, in morning sun.
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