Common Name: scarlet spiral-ginger
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Costaceae
Native Range: Central America
Zone: 9 to 11
Height: 2.00 to 6.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 6.00 feet
Bloom Time: Flowers freely
Bloom Description: Red and yellow
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Naturalize
Flower: Showy, Good Cut
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Culture
Best grown in evenly moist, well-drained, rich soils with plenty of organic matter in part shade. Tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions including full sun, sandy soils, and salt spray. Hardy in Zones 9b(25°F)-11. Above-ground portions of this plant will be damaged by frost, but new growth will reemerge from the underground rhizomes. A layer of mulch protection is recommended in locations where frost is possible. Propagate through division or seed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Costus woodsonii, commonly called scarlet spiral-ginger or red button ginger, is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial native to humid forests and coastal scrublands along the Caribbean coasts of Nicaragua south through Costa Rica and Panama to Columbia. Mature clumps will reach 2-6' tall with an equal spread. Plants in cultivation are typically shorter than those in the wild and will reach 2-4' tall with an equal spread. The elliptic to obovate leaves are glossy and smooth, typically reaching 3-6" long (rarely up to 10") and 1.5-4" wide. They are spirally arranged along somewhat thick, succulent, upright to slightly leaning stems. The showy, terminal, cylindrical to conical inflorescences will reach 2-6" long and up to 1" wide. They are made up of glossy, overlapping bright red bracts. Individual, 1" long, red and yellow tubular flowers emerge from the bracts and bloom one or two at a time. The flowers are attractive to and pollinated by hummingbirds. Small black seeds surrounded by a white aril are held in 1" long capsules. Flowering and fruiting is nearly continuous in tropical climates.
Genus name comes from the Latin name derived from an Oriental name for a imported aromatic root.
The specific epithet woodsonii honors Robert Everard Woodson (1904-1963), American botanist who initiated and contributed greatly to the publication of the Flora of Panama while also serving as Curator of the Herbarium at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
The various common names of this plant typically refer to the spiral arrangement of its foliage, the color, size, and shape of its inflorescences, as well as the height and appearance of its stems.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems. Overly moist soils with poor drainage could cause the rhizomes to rot.
Uses
Mass or accent in mixed borders. Can naturalize. Suitable for use in fresh cut arrangements.