Strelitzia
- Needs to be at least 4 or 5 years old before flowering.
- Slow-growing clumps reach 3 to 5 ft. tall, and as wide.
- Needs to be fertilized once a month.
- Best with regular watering – weekly, or more often in extreme heat.
Strelitzia reginae is a native to the eastern coastlines of southern Africa, where it grows wild in patches that are sometimes miles across. It is sometimes referred to as the Crane plant due to the flowers looking like the feathers on the head of a crane.
The plant grows to over 6 feet tall, and is designed to fully support the weight of birds who stop to eat the nectar. It was first introduced to Europe by explorers in 1773, and has become a common ornamental plant in places that feature a warm climate year-round.
Flowering occurs multiple times a year if the plant is well taken care of. It is a long lived plant, and takes up to three years to begin producing flowers. Once it begins flowering, however, this plant will provide you with years of delight.
WE CARRY THE FOLLOWING TWO COLORS:
Strelitzia reginae
Orange Bird-of-Paradise – The more commonly found orange bird-of-paradise grows 3 to 5 feet tall in clumps. The dense clumps grow similar in width to the plants overall height. The orange flowers offer blue accents and bloom periodically during the year. The flowers make a striking addition to cut arrangements and last for up to 14 days after cutting. Bird-of-paradise is also commonly called crane flower.
Strelitzia nicolai
White Bird-of-Paradise – The white bird-of-paradise goes by the alternate name giant bird-of-paradise, a name befitting its ability to grow up to 30 feet tall with a spread of 6 to 10 feet in an ideal natural habitat. In containers, however, the white bird-of-paradise stays smaller, growing 15 feet or less. The large 12-inch white, cream or pale grey flowers display a striking blue tongue. The flowers bloom periodically throughout the year.
Common Names: Crane Plant, Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia, Crane Flower
This species is mildly toxic for cats, dogs and people which would need to be consumed in fairly large amounts to affect the person or pet.