Strelitzia

( strel - LITS - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This popularly-grown plant, commonly called Bird of Paradise or Crane Flower, is a perennial  that needs light shade in the warmest climates of its zone range and regular water. These are evergreen plants, and produce very unusual blossoms that pop up throughout the year and are wonderful as cut flowers. Blossoms are orange, blue, and white and sit atop tall, stiff stems. Leaves are bluish-green. Take care when planting Bird of Paradise in the garden, as plant parts are somewhat toxic to humans and are poisonous to pets and other animals.

Strelitzia Species and Varietals

The genus Strelitzia contains just five species, and is the type genus member of the plant family Strelitziaceae. ​ Bird of Paradise grows best in zones 17, 20-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Strelitzia alba (White-Flowered Wild Banana, Cape Wild Banana)
These plants are native to the Western Cape of South Africa, where they grow in evergreen forested areas, along gorges, and on slopes along rivers. These frost-sensitive tropicals can reach up to 32 feet tall when mature, and produce stark-white flowers with some pink tones. 

Strelitzia caudata (Mountain Strelitzia, Wild Banana)
These plants are native to South Africa, and reach up to 26 feet tall when mature. Leaves are greyish-green in color, and plants typically will grow in dense clumps in montane forests and grassy slopes in their native range. Flowers are white and blue.

Strelitzia nicolai (Wild Banana, Giant White Bird of Paradise)
These plants produce erect woody stems that reach between 23 and 26 feet tall when plants are mature. Clumps can reach 11 feet wide. Foliage is grey-green and flowers are white with blue-purple 'tongues'. These plants are commonly grown as ornamentals, both out in the garden and in indoor spaces like greenhouses. 

Strelitzia reginae (Crane Flower, Bird of Paradise, Isigude)
These evergreen perennial plants are native to South Africa, and is cultivated worldwide for its dramatic, colorful flowers. In cooler areas of the globe it is kept as a houseplant. Plants reach up to 6.5 feet tall, and leaves are green. Flowers have orange sepals and purple-blue to white petals. 

Strelitzia juncea (African Desert Banana, Rush-Leaved Strelitzia, Narrow-Leaved Bird of Paradise)
These plants are native to South Africa, and are the most frost-resistant and drought-tolerant in the genus. They are threatened in their native range with extinction due to over-harvesting for the plant nursery industry. Leaves are thin and greyish-green

Caring for Strelitzia

Divide infrequently; crowded clumps will actually bloom best. Great plants for containers, as long as they are large enough to accommodate these growing, clumping plants. Damaged by frost and recovers slowly from frost damage. 

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Strelitzia
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 616, Strelitzia
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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