Strelitziaspp.
If you are looking for a plant with large , show - stopping blooms , front no further than the dame of paradise .
With its orange , blue , and blanched flowers that see like a bird in trajectory , this plant just can not be ignored .
And this South African indigen will grow blithely year - daily round throughout warmer part of the US .
Caesalpiniagilliesii
We link to seller to help you find relevant products . If you buy from one of our links , we may earn a commission .
Ready to get started ? I ’ll excuse everything you need to bonk to develop vigorous razzing of paradise plants in your own garden in Zones 9 - 12 .
Here ’s what ’s ahead :
Caesalpiniagilliesii
What You’ll Learn
What Is Bird of Paradise?
This herbaceous perennial is uncommon in northern mood , but prevailing in gardens and on wayside inUSDA Hardiness Zones10 - 12 and sometimes in warmer areas of Zone 9 as well .
Named for its stunning flowers , the works grow slowly in clumps as its hush-hush stem divides , while the foliage produce in a fan - corresponding pattern and resembles banana tree leaves .
heyday are produced in groups of one to three on long stalks .
Bird of Shangri-la works are also know as crane flowers , a more precise description of the condition of their blooms .
Orange River sepal and blue petals emerge from a modified leaf known as a bract . Two of the blue flower petal join together to form a nectary – an organ that secretes nectar .
The plants bloom off and on year round in suitable climates .
fledged , healthy plants can produce up to 36 flower lace a year , which will last for weeks .
Native to southerly Africa , there are five species in theStreliziagenus . The most vernacular species produce in the US areS. reginae , S. nicolai , andS. alba .
If you endure in the southwesterly US , you may be familiar with other plants have a go at it by the same common name .
The birds of paradise that grow so well in this neighborhood are an entirely different species in the legume category , Caesalpinia .
The three most unremarkably seen are the redC. pulcherrima , yellowC. gilliesii(reclassified asPoinciana gilliesii ) , and the Mexican chick of paradise , C. mexicana .
Cultivation and History
Once considered part of the banana family line , these plants have escaped this lowly fate and now have their own house – the Strelitziaceae .
Bird of Eden flowers are so storied that they were a receiver of the Award of Garden Merit from the UK ’s Royal Horticultural Society in 1993 .
They are delightful as cut efflorescence and are trade by the million foruse in floral arrangements .
These plant are modest maintenance which make them valuable for urban landscaping . They are commonly go through originate in traffic islands and in garden in apartment complex in California .
Even better is their disposition to stay put . Unlike tree etymon that will eventually come up sidewalks , razz of paradise roots do not inspissate as the plant life age .
Bird of paradise plant life were introduced to Europe in 1773 when Francis Masson , plant gatherer , brought specimens from the eastern Cape part of South Africa to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew .
The genusStrelitziawas distinguish for Queen Charlotte Sophie of Mecklenburg - Strelitz , the married woman of the reigning monarch at the meter , King George III .
Even the scientific name of the vulgar bird of paradise , S. reginae , is regal , with the Latin wordreginaetranslating to queen in English .
Bird of paradise plants were stick in into California in 1853 by Colonel Warren , editor in chief of theCalifornia Farmermagazine , and were available for sales agreement in Montecito , a wealthy enclave of Santa Barbara in the 1870s .
These plants became such emblems of southern California that in 1952 they were named the prescribed flower of the metropolis of Los Angeles by Mayor Fletcher Bowron .
In their native South Africa , the flower is so popular that it is feature on the coat of arms of the province of KwaZulu - Natal .
It also adorn the allegory of a high-pitched South African pureness – the ordering of the Ikhamanga . The president of South Africa has the big businessman to grant this accolade to citizen for achievements in lit , polish , arts , journalism , medicine , and sports .
Bird of paradise plants uprise savage among other bush along riverbanks in many parts of South Africa , and are important reservoir of ambrosia for chick .
Strelitzia Plant Propagation
Growing bird of paradise plants from seed can take three to 10 years , but propagating them by division produces novel plant much more promptly .
By Division
you could dig up fledged clumps in late leaping or early summer and separate those with four to five shoots or more into single- or multiple - stalk sectionalisation .
Depending on the size of the clump , you ’ll want to mark a radius eight to 12 inches out from the base of the plant , and prod down to a depth of 10 to 24 inches . Pull up the flora and cut down through the root ball flawlessly with a gardening tongue or shovel .
If the industrial plant is growing in a container , lift it out of the tummy , and cut through the ascendant ball with a acuate knife . check that each section has at least one stem attach .
Plant each division in the ground at the same depth as the section of solution ball or into a pot eight to 12 column inch blanket and deep – or large – look on the size of it of your naval division .
Keep the dirt moist for at least three months until the root are established . Then , if desire , you may start fertilise them as described below .
You should have fledged flowering flora in one to three years .
Another option is to dispatch youthful offset from mature plants .
memorise more about separate bird of Shangri-la blossom .
From Seed
If you are patient , you may grow these plants from seeds . Your industrial plant should begin bloom in three to five years .
However , some source claim that it can take as recollective as 10 years for plants that were started from germ to blossom .
redeem your own seeds from fledged plants is an alternative , but if the plants are hybrids the seeds will not produce true to the parent works .
If you hand pollinate the flowers , you should see ejaculate pods about five calendar month later . Each pod will contain 60 - 80 seeds .
When the heyday has withered and die back , you may collect the pod and cut them exposed to get rid of the seeds within .
The seeds are black with orange tufts and are the size of mellisonant pea seeds .
Plant the seeds as soon after harvest as possible , before the cum pelage becomes hard .
If you ca n’t inseminate them instantly , planting within six months of harvesting is urge to assure viability .
If you need to store the seeds , place them in a cool , well ventilated way until the seeds have wholly dry out out – typically a week to ten twenty-four hours – then transplant to a newspaper gasbag and store in a cool , dry place until you are quick to embed .
If the seed coating is surd , whether you ’ve saved your own seeds or purchase them , you could decrease the germination sentence by soaking the seeds in lukewarm water for one to two days , and then nicking the seed coat with a minuscule data file or knife . This procedure is known as scarification .
hit the bright orange tuft of hairs after you have soak the seeds .
Sow the cum 1/2 to one inch deep in a pot or planting tray in a dampish seed start metier that is loose and clean . Place a plastic bag or humidity dome over the top to maintain a humid surround .
allow for bottom heat of 75 - 90 ° farad will aid them to germinate , although it is not necessary .
Seeds that have been scarified should germinate in one to three months if keep moist .
According to Sydney Park Brown and Robert J. Black , professors at the Environmental Horticulture Department at theUniversity of Florida IFAS Extension , you may be able to speed up the sprouting time by couch the seeds in a pliant suitcase and refrigerating them at 40 - 45 ° degree Fahrenheit for two week . Then scarify them .
The seedlings can be graft to six - in pots when they have three to four true folio .
Keep the ground evenly moist but not waterlogged until seedling are six to eight inches tall before transfer them into the garden as described below .
Learn more about propagating doll of Shangri-la plant .
How to Grow Bird of Paradise Flowers
While this plant rise in the subtropical coasts of South Africa , it will grow in the warmer climates of Zones 9 - 12 .
hoot of paradise should be planted in a full sunlight location , although they can flourish in fond shade in subtropical climate such as Florida .
The characteristic of the plant will disagree depend on the amount of light they receive .
plant grow in full sun are modest and have short bloom stanch , while those grown in fond shade are taller and may have somewhat larger peak .
Since the plant life produce more bloom around the outside of the plant , space them at least six feet aside will allow adequate room for the flower to modernise .
Totransplant into the garden , delve a yap that is two to three times the diameter of the rootage orchis and as abstruse as the acme of the root clump . soundly water the plant before gently removing it from the container .
Take maintenance not to stir up the roots as those of immature plants are easily damaged .
put the plant in the hole , and ensure the top of the base ball is even with the surface of the territory . Backfill with ground and water in well .
If bird of paradise is planted too profoundly , this may delay unfolding .
you may create a basin like a saucer around the plant life , so it will take water until it drains to the roots .
Make certain to water the plant regularly during the first six month after planting . piss deeply when the aerofoil of the soil feel dry to the pinch .
Soil and Climate Needs
Bird of paradise plants are pretty forgiving and will grow in a mountain range of grease types .
However , they grow good in organically - rich , loamy soil that run out well with a pH of 5.5 - 7.5 .
The plant can shortly tolerate temperatures as scurvy as 24 ° F , although freezing temperatures will damage developing flowers and bud .
If you last in an country prostrate to frost , either address your plants if a hard freeze is in the forecast , or bring mountain at heart when the atmospheric condition gets cold .
Too learn more , we overlay growingbird of paradise indoors as a houseplant hereandhow to winter your plants here .
Watering and Mulching
If this case of industrial plant get too much or too short wet , theleaves will turn yellowand eventually expire .
Mature plant life are generally drought tolerant and will need to be irrigate when the top three column inch of the soil is dry . They will not tolerate wet feet and waterlogged grease can make root rot .
During the wintertime months , if there is sufficient pelting , you may not need to put up any extra irrigation .
order a two to three - inch - deeplayer of mulcharound the base of the works . This will help to conserve moisture , reduce grass infestations , and provide micronutrients .
Do not add up mulch too close to the radical . maintain a two to three - inch circular area around your plants free of mulch will protect against base guff .
constitutive mulches – such as Grant Wood chip , bark , pine needle , or leaves – are suitable , as are crushed stone or puzzle in areas where lighter materials may blow by .
Fertilization
While these plants can live in the garden without subsidiary fertilization , the addition of a balanced fertilizer will produce the best growth and efflorescence .
The best types of fertiliser to utilise include organic ones like well - rotted manure , worm castings , or blood meal , or a controlled release balanced product like Osmocote , available via Amazon , or granular landscape fertilizers .
utilize allot to package operating instructions to a full grown clump every three months during the growing season .
If you are acquire your plants in container , you may fertilize them every two week with a fluid fertiliser or put on tiresome release pellets every two to three months .
happen more info on fertilise here .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
These plants are fairly low maintenance .
The most important thing that you will need to do in term of upkeep is to absent the dead leaves and old flower stalks , so that fungi do not work up up in them .
Spent flower stalkscan be cut off at the baseof the plant , as close to the territory line as possible . Dead or dying foliage should be curve at the distributor point the leaf meets the stem .
If you do not prune them off , they will continue attached to the plant indefinitely .
In the case of bombastic clumps , you could thin out the foliage from the substance of the thud to allow for increased airflow .
The giant snort of paradise , S. nicolai , farm heavy offshoots that you should thin occasionally .
Species and Cultivars to Select
you’re able to usually find bird of paradise for sale at local garden centers and greenhouse in areas where they flourish .
Common Bird of Paradise
Known and beloved by so many throughout the world , the orange and blue flowers ofS. reginaeare a dramatic addition to your landscape .
Bird of Paradise , S. reginae
you’re able to find plantsavailable from Fast Growing Trees .
Giant
S. nicolaiis common in south and primal Florida . It is also known as jumbo white bird of paradise or African wild banana – thanks to its expectant leaves .
This species can grow up to 20 feet high and five to six feet wide , so do not mistake it for the common bird of paradise and plant it in front of a windowpane !
Giant Bird of Paradise , S. nicolai
Plants in 9 1/4 - column inch pots areavailable from Costa Farms via Home Depot .
Mandela’s Gold
As you may probably guess from the name , ‘ Mandela ’s Gold ’ is a South African cultivar ofS. reginae . It was farm by John Winter at theKirstenbosch National Botanic Gardenin Cape Town and released in 1994 .
primitively market as ‘ Kirstenbosch Gold , ’ the name was changed in 1996 to honor Nelson Mandela .
The flowers have bright yellow petals and a spicy tongue . Plants raise to a mature height of four to five foot magniloquent , with a similar scatter .
you could get a line more about thedifferent character of chick of paradise plants here .
Managing Pests and Disease
Bird of paradise plants are usually complimentary of gadfly and disease , but alas , there are elision .
However , while pests and pathogens may attack individual flowers or leaf , they in general do not jeopardize the flora ’s overall health .
Insects
Insects are rarely a problem , butaphids , musical scale , snail , grasshopper , and caterpillars may occasionally graze on the industrial plant . you may control them with systemic insecticides or snail bait .
Mealybugsandspider mitescan infest the leaves . Just wipe them off with a soft cloth . You also have the option of using constitutive insecticides like neem petroleum to tackle an infestation .
A couple of extra species in particular may have problems for your plants :
The larvae ofOpogona omoscopamoths gestate into the crowns of plants , causing the foliage to turn jaundiced , wilt , and buy the farm . Experts believe these are secondary pests that are attracted to decaying tissue paper .
you may prevent this type of plague by providing sound cultural care . Remove utter or dying plant dust that draw in the moths and forfend unreasonable tearing .
While there are a number of whitefly specie that tone-beginning industrial plant , the giant whitefly ( Aleurodicus dugesii ) is a particular pest of chick of paradise .
Not only does this gadfly absorb vital nutrients out of the industrial plant , it also secretes a sugary pith called honeydew that can draw voluminous sum ofants .
Early detection is crucial for the ascendancy of this pest . If you catch it early enough , you could spray the plants withwater from the hoseto remove the whitefly .
If your plant have a severe plague , remove any septic leaves .
Read more about controlling whiteflies here .
Find more tips on describe and insure bird of paradise pestis here .
Disease
Several types of fungus and a coarse bacterial pathogen can occasionally smite bird of Eden plant .
This devastating disease can affect all members of theStrelitziagenus .
Discolored leaves are a symptom ofArmillaria . Eventually , telltale clusters of what are unremarkably referred to as “ honey mushroom ” will grow at the base of the plant .
There is no curative , and fungal colony can live for thousands of year . You will have to take away your plant life if it contracts this disease .
Prevention includes proper drainage , good irrigation , and adequate care .
The common bacteriumPseudomonas solanacearumcan live in the grunge for more than six twelvemonth , and it may infect bird of paradise plant through their roots .
It can also be conduct by infected horticulture tools , plant debris , soil , insects , and water .
Initial signs of contagion admit wilt and yellowing of the leaves . Then , the radical of the plant will begin to change state black or brown at the stain line .
If your flora is infest , you should take away and put down it to prevent the disease from spreading .
For a nice change of step , this type of contagion – stimulate by a variety of fungous pathogens – is not usually a serious trouble for bird of paradise plants .
leave of absence that are infected develop shameful , tan , brown , or chicken spots or patches . They may shrink and drop off the flora .
Most fowl of Eden plants can care this disease . In fact , the picture of this infection that you see above draw an otherwise levelheaded plant .
Providing good ethnic care and sanitation will commonly facilitate to control a fungal leaf smear infection . If necessary , you could spray plant with neem rock oil every 10 - 14 days .
Also known as botrytis blight , gray mould caused byBotrytis cinereacan infect an regalia of plant life and is well make out as the lawsuit ofrot in strawberries .
Infected blossom and foliage will have a gray film over them , which impart disease its common name . Eventually , the leave of absence will droop , decay , and drop from the plant .
Prevention include removing fall and decaying debris and dying plant tissue . Also , fend off overhead watering .
antimycotic are sometimes effective , but this fungus is notorious fordeveloping resistanceto them – sometimes during the first season of use .
In some cases , a biofungicide such as Cease can command this disease . This product contains a strain ofBacillus subtilisand isavailable from Arbico Organics .
Spray your plant once a workweek but if you have a serious contagion , you could spray every three days .
Bird of paradise seed can nurse a fungal pathogen that causes root decomposition , also known asdamping off .
you may forbid this by pluck seeds at elbow room temperature for 24 minute . Drain , then inebriate the seed in 135 ° F water for 30 transactions .
Let them cool down and dry , and then plant them in sporty soil starting medium .
Find more tips on identifying and regale shuttle of paradise disease here .
Best Uses for Bird of Paradise Flowers
You have probably seen these efflorescence in florist shops .
The plants make a beautiful focal full point in a garden or a delightful houseplant in cooler regions , especially if you have a sunroom .
As if having a expectant perennial with stunning bloom in your K was not enough , these types of plants have some strange advantages .
Bird of paradise leaves are evergreen and remain on the plant . This makes them an excellent choice for adding ornamental pursuit near swim pools , where shedding leaf can make a criminal maintenance problem .
They copulate well with other evergreen plant perennials , such asAgave vilmoriniana , Senecio mandraliscae , andPittosporum tobira‘Nanum ’ that have similar ethnic demand .
They also wait on as beautiful deletion flowers , and with a slight care and somefresh blossom foodcan last up to two weeks in a vase .
Learn to make your fresh flowers last longer in this guide .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
A Carefree Noble Flower
Perhaps you have buy a bird of paradise flower for a loved one , or even yourself .
You may not realise that this sensational flora was once an exciting novelty from a foreign Din Land . Now it is a low - care mending in places with warm climate , such as southern California and Florida .
The plant are democratic both for landscape gardening and growing as houseplants . With right concern , they will flourish and produce up to three XII flower a twelvemonth .
Who say that you ca n’t have a regal garden of your very own ?
And for more information on how to grow other uniqueflowering plants , go over out these guides next :
exposure by Helga George © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally published January 13th , 2020 . Last updated July 30th , 2023 . merchandise picture via Costa Farms , degraded Growing Trees , and Plants Express . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock . With extra piece of writing and redaction by Allison Sidhu and Clare Groom .
About
Helga George , Ph.D.
