GINGERSRUS CATALOG LISTING:
I won't lie to you, this plant is very difficult to bring to flower, but WOW! It is really spectacular when it does bloom. I have only seen it in flower one time, at Lyon Arboretum in Hawaii. The late Ray Baker of Lyon Arboretum was with me at the time and he told me he had never seen it in flower before either.

This plant is mostly grown for its foliage, narrow purple backed leaves, thick long hairs on the stems. I have collected seeds of this species in Peru and in Ecuador, and also have a specimen from US cultivation. It is not known whether the flowers will vary from these collections.

HORTICULTURAL NOTES:

Le Jardin Ombragé - Costus asplundii -medium to tall Costus from Central America, very narrow linear foliage with purplish undersides, flowers are white with yellow centers. I have tried to grow this from cuttings several times, and each time it seemed to root okay and start to grow but then declined and died. It is difficult to get established, apparently needs just the right moisture conditions. It is probably zone 10 hardy and shade loving.