Bird of Paradise- Giant Strelitzia nicolai

The Giant Bird of Paradise is a stunning and hardy perennial with a strong architectural shape.

A large, evergreen, paddle-leaf shaped perennial which produces white and pale blue bird shaped flowers sitting in a dark purple- black bract.
These can take a surprising amount of wind before the leaves will start shredding, however an exposed site, prone to constant wind would be best avoided.

With all of the Instagram and Pinterest photos proliferating the internet, just a few truths and tips if you intend on using this species as indoor foliage interest.
They will not flower indoors unless you have a 200 litre pot and a 3-4 metre tall specimen!
They will get meali bug and other pests (possible red spider mite) if kept in a heated or full, hard sun site indoors. All of your indoor plants will end up stressing in a room with a heatpump or open fire, unless you do regular misting and are really on top of your watering regime (not overwatering regime!)
Try and plac...