 This is the plant that is sold in the US under the name Costus curvibracteatus, but it has been incorrectly identified years ago and the error has persisted. Dr. P. J. M. Maas of the University of Utrrecht in the Netherlands described and named the true species Costus curvibracteatus, and I have sent him photos of this plant. He, as well as Costus expert Chelsea Specht of the New York Botanic Garden, have determined that this plant is actually a different species - Costus productus. I have never seen the true Costus curvibracteatus for sale in the U. S., but I have pictures taken in Costa Rica on my website at http://www.gingersrus.com/botanical/description.php?PID=4317
This Costus has the typical spiral foliage in a medium green color and the inflorescense is terminal at the end of a mature sheath. The color of the bracts is bright red (some other forms sold are red-orange) and the flowers peek out one by one from between the bracts in a bright buttery yellow color.
I have seen the hardiness of this plant rated anywhere from zone 10 to zone 9 to zone 8B, so it is hard to say for sure. I left a large patch of it outdoors here last winter (Tallahassee zone 8B) and it came back strong and was blooming by late July. Many Costus plants are lost by gardeners (myself included) if the rhizomes are kept too wet when not in active growth. Most sources indicate this Costus prefers shady conditions, and I have tested it in filtered shade and up to about 3 hours of direct sun.
Costus productus is easy to start from cuttings and it will bloom the first year from cuttings. It has a very long bloom period and can make a showy garden plant with its colorful bracts and flowers. The patch pictured below started blooming in late June and is still blooming in my garden now.
|
|
is a trademark of Le Jardin Ombragé
