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Strelitzia ‘Bird of Paradise’
Related to, and resembling, a banana plant, Strelitzia reginae is a compact, clump-forming perennial. It grows up to 1.5m (about 5 feet) and has long, lanceolate, gray-green leaves.
The most impressive feature of the plant is its strikingly exotic and long-lived inflorescence. Long-stemmed flowers emerge from a boat-shaped, red-margined, spathe resembling the head of a bird. The individual flowers have three bright orange tepals surrounding three shimmering peacock-blue petals, two of which are fused to form a nectary. The plant is pollinated by humming birds.
KEY FACTS
Latin name
Strelitzia reginae
Pronunciation
(“strell-IT-zee-ah rej-EEN-eh-ah”)
Common name
Bird of Paradise
Origin
South Africa
Light
Bright, but diffused, light is necessary. This plant does well in a sunroom.
Watering
Quite a heavy water user, but the potting soil should be allowed to dry out a little between watering.
Pruning
Dead leaves and spent blooms should be cut off with a sharp knife or pruning shears. Otherwise, no pruning is necessary.
Feeding
A diluted solution of fertilizer can be added to the water every time you water the plant. Add more fertilizer in the spring and summer.
Pest & Diseases
Prone to attack by mealybugs and other sap-sucking insects.
