There are lots of color combinations on plants, but one of the most unique must be the flowers of the Giant Bird of Paradise (strelitzia nicolai) plant. The blooms are blackish-gray and white with a blue "tongue". This tall cousin of the colorful BOP grows easily in our area, primarily for the tall leathery foliage that gets up to 30 feet. I think the tropical flowers are very dramatic, but they are high up and often overlooked. The only drawback to them is that they need a tree trimmer to do the deadheading!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Gray and White Blooms
There are lots of color combinations on plants, but one of the most unique must be the flowers of the Giant Bird of Paradise (strelitzia nicolai) plant. The blooms are blackish-gray and white with a blue "tongue". This tall cousin of the colorful BOP grows easily in our area, primarily for the tall leathery foliage that gets up to 30 feet. I think the tropical flowers are very dramatic, but they are high up and often overlooked. The only drawback to them is that they need a tree trimmer to do the deadheading!
I saw this plant on a garden show just a couple of days ago and was very impressed by the size of it.
ReplyDeleteHi Sheila!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely comment on my Kenilworth photo posting.
I've never seen a bird of paradise flower in those colors. How very graphic!
A plant strikingly similar to that is called Pokok Kipas [or fan tree] over here in Malaysia. But without thorny edges seen at the stalk... Lovely bloom.
ReplyDelete~ bangchik