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Orange Bird of Paradise Strelitzia Reginae
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 « Return |
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| Exposure |
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Sun to partial shade |
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| Average Height x Width |
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3’ - 4’ |
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| Typical Height |
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4’ |
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| Water Requirements |
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Average water needs, do not overwater |
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| Spacing |
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3’ - 4’ |
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| Cold Hardiness |
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35 - 40 degrees |
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| Hardiness Zone |
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10B - 11 |
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| Growth Rate |
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Slow |
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| Origin |
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South African |
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| Salt Tolerance |
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Moderate |
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| Drought Tolerance |
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Moderate |
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| Soil Requirements |
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Rich moist soil |
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| Light Requirements |
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Sun |
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| Nutritional Requirements |
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Slow release fertilizer |
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| Uses |
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Accent specimen |
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| Propagation |
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Seed or bulbs |
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| Human Hazards |
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Poisonous if ingested |
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| Major Pest Problems |
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Occasional: aphis, caterpillars, grasshoppers, scales and snail |
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| Major Disease Problems |
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None |
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Bird-of-paradise or crane flower (Strelitzia reginae) is a native of South Africa and is closely related to the banana. The herbaceous plant derives its common names from the unique flower it bears, which resembles a brightly colored bird in flight. The leathery leaves are held upright on stiff leafstalks and are about 6 inches wide and 18 inches long. The plant forms a 3- to 5-foot-tall clump that can be used as a focal point in the landscape or in mass plantings. The evergreen leaves of bird-of-paradise do not drop from the plant, which makes it an excellent addition around pools or wherever shedding leaves are an aesthetic and/or maintenance problem. Bird-of-paradise makes an attractive landscape plant throughout Florida, although it requires cold protection in the northern part of the state. The plant will tolerate temperatures as low as 24¢®¨¡F for a short time; however, freezing temperatures will damage developing flower buds and flowers. To ensure flower production in north Florida, grow bird-of-paradise in a container that can be moved indoors during freezes.The showy bloom is actually a combination of blue petals and orange sepals that emerge from a beak-like bract (modified leaf). Blooms appear intermittently most of the year. Healthy, mature plants can produce as many as three dozen flower spikes a year, which will last up to two weeks when cut.
Information cortesy of UF/IFAS.
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