Native plants for wetlands, fields or forests and an eclectic mix of other botanic delights

Strelitzia reginae

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Status
Limited Supply
Bird of Paradise
Beautiful in Flower
Mature Size:
' Height /
' Spread
Expected Size:
3'-4'
/
3'-4'
Light Preference:
Full Sun
Soil Preference:
Moist (Mesic)
Price:
$35.00/large plant

Strelitzia reginae is a monocotyledonous flowering plant indigenous to South Africa. Common names include Strelitzia, Crane Flower or Bird of Paradise. Its scientific name commemorates the British queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The species has been naturalized in Mexico, Belize, Bangladesh, Madeira Islands and Juan Fernández Islands off the coast of Chile.

In pots, it usually grows to around 0.8 - 1.0 m (3') tall, with large, strong leaves. The leaves are evergreen and arranged in two ranks, making a fan-shaped crown. The flowers stand above the foliage at the tips of long stalks. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges is termed the spathe. This is placed perpendicular to the stem, which gives it the appearance of a bird's head and beak; it makes a durable perch for holding the sunbirds which pollinate the flowers. The flowers, which emerge one at a time from the spathe, consist of three brilliant orange sepals and three purplish-blue petals. Two of the blue petals are joined together to form an arrow-like nectary. When the sunbirds sit to drink the nectar, the petals open to cover their feet in pollen.

Bird of Paradise is very popular as an ornamental plant. It was first introduced at the Royal Botanic Gardens, at Kew in 1773. Since then, it has been widely introduced around the world, including the Americas and Australia, growing well in any area that is sunny and warm. In the United States, Florida and California are the main areas of cultivation, due to their warm climate. It is the Official Flower of the City of Los Angeles and it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

You can grow it in a greenhouse, sunroom or bright window where it will be more-or-less dormant (no growth) over the winter.  But, give it some water and fertilizer from spring through summer and it will dazzle you with luxuriant growth and the flamboyant flowers that are its hallmark.

We have one nice plant remaining.

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Information

Prices listed are subject to change, based upon size change and availability.

We are a small local nursery with limited shipping capability. We will do our best to ship smaller material (usually 1 or 2 gallon), although we can sometimes ship larger plants with the pots removed.

We have some species that are not listed, as we have too few of them to make a full listing plausible. You can always inquire.

We will consider contract growing an order with appropriate advance notice and availability of seed, cuttings or lining out stock.

Fall Business Hours
Monday
10 - 6
Tuesday
10 - 6
Wednesday
By Appointment
Thursday
10- 6
Friday
10- 5
Saturday
10 - 5
Sunday
11- 4
Kollar Nursery | 5200 West Heaps Road, Pylesville, MD 21132 | 410.836.0500
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