Strelitzia nicolai (Giant Bird of Paradise)

Grown primarily for its dramatic foliage, Strelitzia nicolai (Giant Bird of Paradise) brings a sensational tropical accent to the garden or in a sunny interior room. This massive evergreen treelike perennial forms huge clumps of erect or curving woody stems that can reach 30 feet in height (9 m). The leaves are enormous, 5-10 ft. long (150-300 cm), oblong, shiny gray-green with long, thick leaf stalks. They resemble the leaves of banana plants and are arranged fanwise on the stems. They tear in the wind and come to resemble giant feathers. Blooming throughout the year, with a peak in spring and summer, large blue and white flowers, up to 20 in. long (50 cm) are produced in succession from purplish-gray beak-like spathes. Larger than those of Strelitzia reginae, the spectacular blossoms resemble the head of a bird, with a white crest and purple beak. Since one flower spathe sprouts out of another, this gives them a double-decked appearance. Eye-catching throughout the year, the Giant Bird of Paradise is widely cultivated as an ornamental for its exotic flowers and lush, tropical foliage. A Giant Bird of Paradise can be a real showpiece in the landscape.

• Grows up to 20-30 ft. tall and wide (6-9 m). Give it room to spread out and unfurl its huge leaves.
• Performs best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, well-drained soils.
• During growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Water sparingly in winter.
• Once established, Giant Bird of Paradise is reasonably drought tolerant (the large, fleshy roots retain lots of water) and can withstand extended periods without irrigation.
• Giant Bird of Paradise can be grown outdoors in a frost-free location with protection from strong winds.
• Giant Bird of Paradise is a wonderful addition to Mediterranean or subtropical gardens, wall-side borders, city gardens or patio containers. Giant Bird of Paradise is also treated as a houseplant.
• Giant Bird of Paradise is often situated against a wall or fence. Underneath can be planted other tropical plants, such as large ferns and shade-loving flowers.
• Giant Bird of Paradise withstands salty coastal winds, making it a good feature plant or screen for coastal gardens.
• The root system is aggressive – do not plant Giant Bird of Paradise too close to structures and paths.
• Excellent cut flowers with a long vase life (up to 2 weeks).
• No serious disease issues. Keep an eye out for scale insects, glasshouse red spider mites, and mealybugs.
• When the bottom leaves are dry and brown, cut them off.
• Propagated by seed sown at 64-70°F (18-21°C) in spring or division of rooted suckers in spring.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
• Strelitzia nicolai is native to evergreen coastal forests and thickets of eastern South Africa from the Gonubie northwards to southern Mozambique. It is also considered native to Mozambique, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.