A bird of paradise flower is an exotic flower commonly found in the wilderness of South Africa and some parts of Asia. Its unique form resembles a bird’s head and beak plumage in flight.
In fact, the name is of a group of five distinctive flowers which each has the semblance of a tropical bird. Each of the five flowers of this genus has its own distinctive appearance.
The genus, Strelitzia o birds of paradise flower, is found in the Strelitziaceae family. Plants in this family are all found to grow in tropical regions of the world. One of the most commonly found palm-like trees in this family, the Traveller’s Palm, originally from Madagascar is also part of this family of plants.
The closest families of plants to the Strelitzia o birds of paradise flower are the Heliconiaceae which has only one member, the flower nicknamed the false bird of paradise (heliconias) and the Musaceae or banana family. Interestingly, all three families of plants were originally classified under the banana family name, Musaceae.
Each of these floral plants grows long, broad banana-like leaves, which can span half a foot by foot and a half. They are perfect for capturing the tropical sunshine all across Africa where they are natively found thriving. These giant leaves spread out in a fan-like layout creating a great contrast of dark green against the brilliant color of the flowers.
The name of this genus was created as a tribute to the Queen Charlotte’s birthplace, Mechlenburg-Strelitz, a small duchy situated in the northern part of Germany. It made its first appearance to the European society in 1773, carried over from Africa by English naturalist and botanist, Sir Joseph Banks.
The flower’s nickname is dubbed because of its resemblance to the family of birds found in the New Guinea. The vibrant colors of the Birds-of-Paradise’s plumes are reflected in the Strelizia’s flower’s petals.
This plant often blooms in the months of May up to September and it symbolizes the peace of paradise giving credit to its color and shape. It is also undeniably one of the most attractive plants you can incorporate in your garden or backyard.
This type of plant grows with a banana-like stalk. Its leaves are arranged in a crown-like rank that comes with a brightly green colored appearance. The bracts or modified leaves are created attractively with green, red and purple canoe-like structures that add beauty and design. One interesting fact of this flower is its symbolism.
As said, this symbolizes the peace of paradise due to its color and form. Another point that can be derived from this flower is its unique appeal as a symbol of 9 successful and joyful years of marriage and love.
Hence, this is the symbol of the 9th year anniversary of couples. Truly, this flower continuously amazes every individual that it thrived even in marriage life.
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The largest plant of the Strelizia family, the Strelizia Nicolai, can tower over thirty feet tall. Its blooms are composed of deep blue outer petals with spikes of white petals bursting out the centers. Each individual flower can reach over two yards high.
This species of Strelizia are mostly found along the eastern coast of South Africa in the thick forests of the area. The rich, moist soil in the area allows this towering tree to thrive.
Although the plant takes many years to mature, once it has taken hold in the area, it readily spreads through its massive root system and the sowing of its triangular seeds.
The Strelizia Alba looks very similar to the Nicolai, making it often hard for amateurs to distinguish the differences between these two plants.
The flowers of these two plants are almost identical but the distinguishing feature between these two plants is the slightly different shades of leaves that they produce. While the Nicolai develops a deep green, blue leaf, the Alba leaf comes in a distinguishing lighter shade of green.
The Strelitzia Caudata is a slightly smaller form of the Strelitzia family. It has multiple nicknames from Mountain Strelitzia to Wild Banana. Although not quite as tall as the Nicolai or the Alba, this massive plant manages rise easily over 25 ft tall.
The Strelitzia Caudata follows the same color scheme as its larger brother with a deep blue exterior petal and white interior petals. The smaller Caudata tree has the closet resemblance to a banana plant compared to any other member of this genus. These rugged Strelitzia can be found throughout the mountain regions of South Africa.
The remaining two Strelitzia plants are dwarfs compared to their larger brothers but they still tower a respectable 6 to twelve feet in the air. These two plants also both display a wonderful yellow, orange flower.
The Strelitzia Juncea can be found scattered across South Africa. Although it is the most resilient of the Strelitzia plants o birds of paradise flower, it can only be found sparsely scattered across the country because of the long maturing time, over 3-4 years.
The leaves of this Strelitzia birds of paradise flower, unlike any of the others, are formed in a tubular shape. The outer petals of the flower can come in a deep, royal red. The center of the flower is a wonderful yellow to orange coloring. There is a law to prevent the cultivation of the Jancea but it has not stopped this plant from finding its way into gardens all around the world.
The Strelitzia Reginae is probably the most well-known plant of the family. Its evergreen leaves and golden, orange flower petals are coveted for both home gardens and floral arrangements. This floral plant can be found throughout its indigenous land of South Africa and throughout the world in gardens where the weather is warm enough to sustain this plant.
To plant any Strelitzia plant in a home garden requires a bit of work and dedication. These plants survive best in moist soil with constant drainage. The plants are naturally pollinated by native birds but when taken away from their indigenous land, they must be manually pollinated to survive.
Most people plant these flowers using cultivated root sections but planting from seeds is possible. For those who want to sprout their own Strelitzia o birds of paradise flower, these plants can take as many as 5 to 6 years to flower depending on the variety.
Because of the wonderful large leaves on most of the Strelitzia plants, many gardeners enjoy using these floral plants as shade around their gardens.
For the best flower yield, plenty of space should be allowed between each Strelitzia plant. Strelitzia can only survive in a warmer climate although the Juncea is more tolerant of mild frost than any of its sibling plants.
Strelitzia is native to South Africa and South America. These are tropical and humid areas and the plant will thrive in such areas. In the United States, it can be grown outdoors in Zones 8 and 9 but in other parts, it is best grown as a potted plant that can be brought indoors for the fall and winter months.
With proper care and diligence, it can be grown in much colder environments both as an indoor potted plant and in glass houses. Indeed the Strelitzia Nicolai tolerates mild frost. This species likes to be grown in rich soil in sun or partial shade. Good drainage is essential.
The most common problem with Bird of Paradise plants is not getting the site right in the first place. Given ample light and warmth, it will flourish in glasshouses anywhere.
However; successfully growing a Strelitzia outdoors is not such a mystery as long as its needs are met. Bird of Paradise does not like frost, it does not like water-soaked roots, it tolerates drought and it likes heat and light. As I said, the ideal outdoor temperature for a Bird of Paradise in U.S. is zones 8, 9 and 10. It will also grow in zone 7 but more care is needed as it is a tropical to sub-tropical plant.
Keeping a Bird of Paradise in check is not difficult but it is necessary as they are vigorous growers and can overwhelm a flower bed in a short space of time. If possible it is a good idea to position a Strelitzia in such a way that “spade pruning” may be employed.
This method of pruning is carried out by slicing into the soil with a sharp spade. Decide on how far the plant is to be allowed to spread and when it has reached this size slice into the soil with the spade thereby cutting off any wayward rhizomes.
This will in no way affect the growth and flowering of the plant. There is very little extra pruning needed. Cut away any faded blooms to prevent unwanted seedlings.
Overwintering a Bird of Paradise can be successful if it can be moved indoors to a heated room or glasshouse. Give the plant as much light as possible. Allow the plant to dry out almost completely and maintain a temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If the plant is to remain outdoors and frost is suspected cover the base area with mulch.
Moving a young Bird of Paradise plant is easy. Tidy the plant as much as possible by cutting away spent stalks and leaves, bundle the remaining leaves together and lift as much of the root system as possible in one go. Moving a mature plant is more laborious and may entail cutting away the leaves and stalks completely and then lifting the rhizomes for planting elsewhere. This is best done in autumn. Feed the plant in the spring.
Should your Bird Of Paradise get frosted on, it will be very slow to recover. If the frost is light, then you will have a good chance of your plant surviving.
Propagation of Strelitzia is mainly done by suckering. This can be very invasive and it is unwise to plant a Strelitzia too close to a house. The invasive suckering process can easily knock down low garden walls especially if the foundation is slight, to begin with.
In some cases, the charming spectacular Bird of Paradise has even considered a pest and it is hacked and pruned away with impunity. A BOP (Bird of Paradise) grown in a glasshouse bed can overpower everything else within reach in a short space of time.
Strelitzia is a robust plant and is rarely bothered by disease. Root rot can be a problem – so do not over-water. Mealy bugs or scale insects can infest a plant but these can be eradicated by cleaning the leaves with ‘rubbing alcohol’ or by spraying the entire plant with a systemic insecticide. Occasionally snails like to nibble a Strelitzia but none of these problems seem to have any real detrimental effect on this exotic charmer.
For use as a cut flower specimen, the Bird of Paradise is unsurpassed. A single stem complete with a single leaf placed in a tall slender glass vase will afford timeless, classical elegance to any home.
Select a stem that is about to bloom, two-thirds fill the vase with white stones – colored stones will detract from the vibrancy of the flower and the bloom will last for about three weeks. Change the water once a week for freshness.
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