Strelitzia reginae, otherwise known as ‘bird of paradise‘ is a native of South Africa. It is another plant species that does very well here in Sydney. The binomial name has the following meanings:
- Strelitzia-this genus was named, by Joseph Banks, in honour of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of King George III of Great Britain.
- Reginae– is the name given to anything relating to the Queen, as this genus is named in honour of one.
The plant itself is a clump-forming perennial with the ability to grow to 180cm tall and 120cm wide.
Leaf blades are roughly oblong in shape to 50cm long, sat on stalks up to one metre in length.
In winter and spring, it produces orange and purple-blue flowers which, for me, are the reason for growing this plant. Flowers can reach 10cm long.
To grow this lovely plant, it needs fertile soil that is moist but well drained. It is happy in full sun to partial shade but needs shelter from strong wind. It is tolerant of drought once it has become established. They can also be grown in pots. Feed in the growing season to encourage good growth and flowering. Pests can apparently include mealy bug, scale, spider mite and root rot, but I haven’t seen them. A frost free environment is required.
To ensure that ant Strelitzia continues to look great in your garden, cut away any dead leaves and flowers as close to the soil as you can. All too often, I see them looking really tatty because people don’t do this and it makes them look truely awful!
To propagate, you can sow seed in spring, once the soil has reached a minimum of eighteen degrees Celsius. These plants will take at least three years to flower. You can also lift and divide an existing Strelitzia in spring, especially if a bit congested.
This is a great plant for structure in a garden, with both leaves and flowers providing this. The flower colours are also a good addition to the garden. Providing you plant it in the right place and take care of your Strelitzia, it will give you many years of joy in the garden.