Alphabetical Plant Listing

Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold' (Bird of Paradise)

Bird of Paradise 'Mandela's Gold', Strelitzia 'Mandela's Gold', Crane Flower 'Mandela's Gold', Strelitzia reginae 'Kirstenbosch Gold', Mandela's Gold Strelitzia, Yellow Strelitzia, Yellow Crane Flower, Yellow Bird of Paradise


Prized for its exotic flowers, Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold' (Bird of Paradise) is an evergreen perennial forming a clump of large, broadly oval, long-stalked, gray-green leaves, which arise from an underground stem (rhizome). They contrast nicely with its beautiful crested flowers. Emerging from a horizontal gray and pink beak-like spathe, brilliant yellow and vivid purple flowers bloom in succession, resembling the crest on a bird's head. Individual flowers last for about a week, but the spathe holds 5 to 7 flowers, guaranteeing a long-lasting display. They are held above the foliage on the tips of long, sturdy stalks and appear anytime from late fall to late spring, depending on latitude and climate. Bringing a sensational tropical accent to the garden or in a sunny interior room, Bird of Paradise has a striking appearance, even when not in flower, due to the large glaucous leaves which resemble those of banana plants.

  • Grows up to 4-5 ft. high (120-150 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm)
  • Performs best in full sun to partial shade in organically rich, well-drained soils.
  • During growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Water sparingly in winter.
  • Once established, Bird of Paradise is drought tolerant and can withstand extended periods without irrigation.
  • Bird of Paradise can be grown outdoors in a frost-free location with protection from strong winds. While freezes will kill back the foliage, this plant will slowly rejuvenate over 18 to 24 months if the cold doesn't kill the root system.
  • Bird of Paradise looks at its best when massed along walls or hedges, in beds and borders where it will stand out. An excellent choice for Mediterranean or subtropical gardens, city gardens, or patio containers. Bird of Paradise is also treated as a houseplant.
  • 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.
  • Cut off old flowers for a neat appearance.
  • Bird of Paradise is usually propagated by dividing the plants in spring or using suckers produced at the base. Do not re-pot mature plants too often, as the fleshy roots can easily be damaged by disturbance.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Strelitzia reginae is native to the southern and eastern parts of the Cape Province and northern Natal in South Africa.

Bird of Paradise: Plant Care and Growing Guide

Learn how to grow lush, healthy, and spectacular Bird of Paradise plants outdoors or as houseplants.Read More

Not sure which Strelitzia - Bird of Paradise to pick?
Compare All Strelitzia - Bird of Paradise

Buy Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold' (Bird of Paradise)

Requirements

Hardiness 10 – 12
Heat Zones 1 – 12
Climate Zones 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Strelitzia - Bird of Paradise
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' – 5' (120cm – 150cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden

Buy Plants

Guides with Strelitzia - Bird of Paradise


David Steele, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 10 – 12
Heat Zones 1 – 12
Climate Zones 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Strelitzia - Bird of Paradise
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 4' – 5' (120cm – 150cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Traditional Garden

Guides with Strelitzia - Bird of Paradise

Plant Calculator

How many Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold' (Bird of Paradise) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold' (Bird of Paradise)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.