BIRD OF PARADISE

From South Africa. Evergreen plants with long-stalked, leathery leaves. Remarkable blossoms are produced intermittently throughout year; they are long lasting on plant and as cut flowers. Good for poolside; plants produce no litter and withstand some splashing. Resist deer damage. Hardy to about 28F.

• Zone TS; USDA 10-11.
• Clumping, treelike plant to 30 feet tall and wide.
• Grown mainly for its dramatic foliage, similar to that of banana (Musa): gray-green, 5- to 10 feet-long leaves arranged fanwise on erect or curving trunks.
• Flowers are larger than those of Strelitzia reginae but not as colorful.
• Floral envelope is purplish gray; flower is white with dark blue tongue.
• Feed young plants frequently until they reach full dramatic size; then give little or no fertilizer.
• The goal is to achieve and maintain maximum size without lush growth and need for dividing.
• Cut off dead leaves and thin out any surplus growth.

• Zones CS (protected), TS; USDA 9-11.
• This old favorite is grown for its spectacular flowers, which bear a startling resemblance to the heads of crested tropical birds.
• Blooms combining orange, blue, and white are borne on long, stiff stems.
• Flowering is best in cooler seasons (though blooms appear year-round).
• This species is trunkless, growing 56 feet high and about as wide; blue-green leaves are 112 feet long.
• Benefits greatly from frequent, heavy feeding.
• Divide infrequently, since large, crowded clumps bloom best.
• Good in containers.
• Recovers slowly from frost damage.