House of Puerto Rico in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA.

We have the Costus growing here at Kew in one of the glasshouses; the colour looks of this one looks more pronounced. A nice picture...

Rbtkew:

The climate here is perfect for Costus species...however, they don't like our water very much though. Many of the Costus species look very good growing in Balboa Park though.

There is a warning not to grow this plant. When they flower they develop a sticky glue like substance that can and does trap Hummingbirds and bee's and any other small animal.

It's a beautiful shrub. I don't see it flower too often here, though. I think it's safe.