Strelitzia reginae - Bird-of-Paradise Flowers

I hope you put all those leaves in a vase to display them D. They last for ages. We would pay a fortune for those in a florist shop here!

Brings back memories of my childhood, as my parents had a large Bird of Paradise growing in the driveway under our lounge window ......freesias too, which had the most wonderful perfume. I would love to put one into my garden, but I haven't seen them in gardens in the area I am now living, & it is an area which does not enjoy such dry summers as the area I grew up in. Do you have the more uncommon yellow Strelitza over where you are? I have seen photos of it only.

Poppylover99:

No, they will thrown in the trash. I can always get more leaves for a flower arrangement. I will probably do an arrangement for Thanksgiving. This plant has many hundreds of leaves. Many of my neighbors have very large plants, also.

Bird-of-Paradise grows here in San Diego by literally, the millions.

Love it....My 1st flowerhead is just forming........

Dwyllis:

I've always lived where Bird-of-Paradise plants were always plentiful. So, I can relate to your memories.

I wonder why this plant wouldn't grow where you live. I've seen some of the plants you grow there. Bird-of-Paradise is a pretty hardy plant.

Yes, I do see the yellow form (Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold') and Stelitzia reginae var 'juncea' (this one I don't like so much).

I think the area I now live in, which is a three hour drive from where I grew up, is too wet. My hometown enjoys long, hot, dry summers. This area is cooler & has a higher rainfall, so I'm not sure if it would grow successfully here. However, Canna Lilies grow ok here, so it might do ok. I just never see it in any nearby gardens.

Milky:

That's great! It should be flowering soon. :>)

Marguerite:

Yes, I'm sure they thrive since you climate is similar to San Diego's.

What gorgeous things....I love BOP.

Lorilyn57:

Thanks! I'm going to cut all the flower and leaves out of this area very soon. It's getting too wild.