Page 13 - Blue Valley Issue 4 2020 print.pdf

GARDENING

STRELITZIA – BIRD OF PARADISE

By Elize Malan

This plant is one of the most popular perennials around the world, not only as
a garden specimen, but as a pot plant. It’s successfully grown for the cut flower
market as well.

amed after Queen Charlotte of have orange sepals and blue petals and are be Euphorbia, Cotyledon and Encephalartos.
Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of seen throughout the summer season. The plant size and flowers resemble Strelitzia
NGeorge III of Great Britain, the plant reginae but the seed production is not as
family Streliziaceae has five species native to Strelitzia reginae can be propagated from good.
South Africa. The flowers of all five only differ seed and, although slow-growing, will start
in size and colour. flowering after three to five years. When STRELITZIA ALBA
dividing mature plants, it is important to This unbranched multi-stemmed plant
STRELITZIA REGINAE have a minimum of 60cm clump diameter to can grow up to 10 metres tall and does not
This plant grows up to 1,5 metres tall and encourage recovery. Remove all flowers after tolerate frost. Suckers are often formed at the
2 metres in diameter. It has an extensive root division. Full recovery after division will be base of the plant. Leaf blades become torn by
system so be sure to allow enough space more or less three years. wind and age and add to the generally untidy
around each plant in the garden. appearance. With leaves up to 2 metres long,
Bees and sunbirds are welcome visitors as this plant is only suitable for large gardens.
It is suitable for planting in winter and summer pollinators. Monkeys, rats and squirrels will Huge 300mm white flowers appear in
rainfall areas and it will tolerate light frost but eat the flowers and seeds. autumn.
prefers full sun for maximum flowering. It will,
however, grow in dappled shade. When more than one species is planted in STRELITZIA NICOLAI
a garden e.g. Strelitzia reginae and Strelitzia
Strelitzia Nicolai, also known as the Natal wild
Plant it in well-drained loam soil and only juncea, the seeds will produce hybrid plants banana, grows up to 12 metres high and
fertilise twice yearly. The plant has a fleshy due to cross-pollination. 4 metres wide and the multi-stemmed dense
root system and is water-wise. The flowers clump resembles the wild banana and has
Strelitzia reginae is seldom affected by an aggressive root system. It will not tolerate
pests and diseases, although poor growing
severe frost. The flowers of this tree have
conditions will make the plant susceptible white sepals with blue petals that appear
to scale infection on the leaves. You can treat throughout the year.
this with mineral oil. Bad drainage of the
growing medium may also result in root rot STRELITZIA CAUDATA
or fungus infections. Remove damaged parts
This species is unbranched and multi-
and treat with a suitable fungicide.
stemmed, growing up to 6 metres tall. Flowers
appear in autumn and the sepals are white
STRELITZIA JUNCEA with light mauve petals. This is the smallest
This is a striking feature plant with cylindrical of the giant Strelitzia species, but due to the
leaves without a leaf blade. The leaf shape aggressive root system and size of the mature
indicates that Strelitzia juncea is able to survive
plant, it’s only suitable for planting in large,
on very little water. Companion plants would frost-free gardens. BV

BLUE VALLEY NEWS • Issue 4 2020 • 11