You can easily grow the Bird of Paradise in your garden,Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold' is a rare yellow form of the well-known Strelitzia reginae. It was released and traded under the name 'Kirstenbosch Gold' until 1996 when the National Botanic Institute of South Africa was granted permission to re-name it in honour of Nelson Mandela. 'Mandela's Gold' is a stemless, evergreen clump-forming perennial. Greyish green, banana-like leaves grow to a height of about 1.5 m and during winter and spring the large bird-like flowers are held above the foliage on the tips of long, sturdy stalks. The structure and pollination of the flowers is fascinating. The hard, beak-like sheath from which the flower emerges, is called the spathe. This is held at right angles to the stem, and has the appearance of a bird's head. Each spathe contains 4 to 6 flowers, and these emerge one at a time from the spathe. Each flower consists of 3 clear yellow sepals and 3 deep purple petals. The yellow sepals give the appearance of a crest on the 'bird's' head. Two of the purple petals are joined together around the stamens and the style to form an arrow-like structure. The third purple petal is visible as a small scale. Nectar is produced by a gland at the base of the flower. In fact, so much nectar is produced that it leaks out and drips down the side of the spathe. 
Growing Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold'Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold' is an easy plant to grow and will thrive in most soils. Ideal conditions are full sun, rich, well-drained loam soil with a pH of approximately 7.5, regular deep watering in summer and liberal applications of fertilizer in early summer. Bonemeal and plenty of mature compost should be mixed into the soil when planting. Plants will respond well to generous applications of manure and compost or additional fertilizer watered in about once a month during summer. A fertilizer with the proportions 3:1:5 encourages flowering, and can be alternated with other formulations. In South Africa and other sunny countries, strelitzias will also do well in semi-shade, but in less sunny regions, they need as much sun as they can get if they are to flower well.
Once established, they can survive with very little water, and they are tolerant of wind and coastal conditions. But 'Mandela's Gold' is sensitive to cold and needs a sheltered position against a north- or west-facing wall in areas that experience frost, and is not suitable for permanent outdoor cultivation in regions that experience a winter low of -7 to -1 ºC / 30 to 40 ºF (zone 9) or lower.'Mandela's Gold' is a striking feature plant, a decorative garden subject and adds a tropical feel to courtyards and swimming pool areas. It is also an excellent cut flower. It is suitable for cultivation in large tubs and containers but for better flowering performance it should then be fed with a dilute liquid fertilizer at least every second week, particularly at the beginning of the growing season. In cold climates it can be grown in a sunny or brightly-lit conservatory.
This beautiful flower is from Srelitzia nicolai or the White Bird of Paradise! It grows to 6 meters by 2 meters across.
Strelizia reginae, Bird of Paradise. This plant grows to 1.5 meters high, and 1 meter across! ****************************************************** This information and photos of the magnificent Bird of Paradise was provided by Strelitzia Nursery, PO Box 83, Glasshouse Mountains, Qld 4519 Australia. Strelitzia Nursery specialise in supplying large or small quantities of Bird of Paradise plants for landscaping and gardens. ****************************************************** Happy gardening, Patrick Click here to subscribe to our Home Herb and Garden Newsletter!
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