Costus dubius (Green grenade ginger, Ornamental ginger)

Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => 6 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /landscaping/garden-themes.php [page_status] => Published [number_of_ads] => 4 [can_use_editor] => 1 [last_modified_date] => 2013-09-10 00:00:00 [last_modified_by] => Alan [checked_for_duplicate_content] => [title] => Garden Themes [heading] => Garden Themes [meta_description] => This article describes various garden themes that should work well within Australia. [article_category_1] => Landscaping [article_category_2] => Gardening [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] => 0 [show_top_article_ad] => 1 ) [1] => Array ( [id] => 454 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /gardening/growing-banksias.php [page_status] => Published [number_of_ads] => 10 [can_use_editor] => 1 [last_modified_date] => 2013-09-16 00:00:00 [last_modified_by] => Alan [checked_for_duplicate_content] => [title] => Growing Banksias [heading] => Growing Banksias [meta_description] => Learn how to grow Banksia in your garden. [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 ) [2] => Array ( [id] => 191 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /gardening/best-natives-for-pots-and-small-gardens.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] => Best Australian natives for pots & small gardens [heading] => Best Australian natives for pots & small gardens [meta_description] => The trend towards smaller gardens has inspired the plant lovers in the nursery industry to respond with an ever-increasing range of Australian plants that will delight those who want to attract birds and butterflies and bring a little bit of the bush onto their balconies. From banksias to bottlebrush there are plants that will add colour and texture to provide year round interest. [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 ) [3] => Array ( [id] => 287 [is_published] => 1 [websiteID] => 5 [url] => /gardening/winter-flowering-plants-for-the-garden.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] => Winter Flowering Plants for the Garden [heading] => Winter Flowering Plants for the Garden [meta_description] => No Australian garden need be free of flowers in winter. Read this article to learn about some great winter flowering plants. [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 ) )

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