Strelitzia

The Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia reginae, bears spectacular flowers several times a year and always makes a statement. The orange and blue flowers with a pale blue/grey leaves are perfect for floral arrangements. Pick the flowers when they show the first signs of colour on the flower’s ‘bill’. If the water is changed regularly and the area is light enough, the repeating flowers can give you a magnificent indoor display for up to a month.

This is a very good plant for the Illawarra as it needs little attention but offers a lot. This plant is native to South Africa and comes in a variety of sizes, including the giant strelitzia (Strelitzia nicolai), an example of which can be found outside near the glasshouses at the Wollongong Botanic Gardens — well over 10 metres!

Put your strelitzia plant in a sunny position in well-drained soil. This is a perfect pot-plant if planted in a large tub (particularly the dwarf variety) and will happily grow on a balcony. It can also provide a spectacular backdrop to succulents or other low growing plants in a garden. The plant needs a little protection from frost in those inland areas, but can tolerate some frost, salt-spray and wind. Although some nurserymen say this is not a drought-tolerant plant, they seem to do exceptionally well during water restrictions. However, they do require regular watering when young.

This is a clumping plant that can be spilt to make other plants, though it can ‘sulk’ if its roots are ‘messed around’ with too much. To clean the dead flowers, don’t cut them off. Hold the flower down near the base, then twist and pull to remove. This stimulates the plant to produce more flowers.

Keep an eye out for Mandela's Gold - a striking yellow and blue variety. This is a rarity in Australia at the moment.

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