WHITE BIRD OF PARADISE (Strelitzia nicolai) 20 seeds

Picture a crown of banana-like leaves atop a palm tree trunk, combine with huge, uniquely beautiful flowers, and then what you have is the exotically named bird of paradise tree. Related to the bird of paradise flower (Strelitzia regina), this close cousin is a much larger plant forming huge clumps of stems to 10 metres in comparison to S. regina's 1 metre height.

The 2-2.5 metre leaves are grey-green and arranged in fans atop the trunks. Plants form clumps of several variably-sized trunks that may grow to 6 metres in width under optimal conditions.

The infloresence (the bird-like flower structures) are composed of a dark blue bract, white sepals and bluish-purple "tongue". The entire "bird" can be as large as 15cm high by 20cm long and is typically held just above the point where the leaf fan emerges from the trunk. Flowers are followed by triangular seed capsules.

The plant is becoming very popular both as a subject for use in near frost-free landscapes and as a subject for interiorscapes. Plant in sheltered spot as high winds will shred leaves resulting in scruffy looking plants.

It likes enriched moisture-retentive soils. It responds enthusiastically to fertiliser, so feed about once a month during the warm growing season to stimulate rapid growth. When plants attain desired size you can withold fertiliser to slow growth and keep plant in scale.

Prefers full sun to part shade. My observations indicate that the handsomest specimens are those that receive some shade during the heat of the day. Water when dry. Does not like saturated conditions. This plant is hardier than S. regina - it can handle brief periods of frost with no damage. Leaf damage occurs at temperatures below zero but plant will recover.

For sale is a packet of 20 fresh seeds.

ALL SEED PACKAGES COME WITH A SET OF SEED PROPAGATION INSTRUCTIONS.