🌸 Stunning Strelitzias
🕊️ The Iconic Bird of Paradise
Also known as the Crane Flower or Bird of Paradise due to the shape of their showy blooms, which resemble an exotic bird, the bold, structural Strelitzia is a showstopper in any garden, giving a tropical look and feel.
🌞 Thrives in the Sun
This indigenous plant thrives in full sun or light shade and, once established, can tolerate periods of drought. Birds are drawn to the nectar-rich blooms, and maintenance is minimal — simply remove old flowers and leaves to keep the plant tidy.
🌿 Strelitzia Reginae
Strelitzia reginae is the most popular variety for most gardens and widely used as a cut flower. Easy to grow, these clump-forming plants have long-lasting stalks with vibrant blue and orange flowers that bloom in Autumn, Winter, and Spring. They reach about 1.5m tall and form 2m-wide clumps, thriving in well-drained or deep loam soil.
🌼 Strelitzia reginae ‘Mandela’s Gold’ is a stunning yellow variety.
🌴 Larger Varieties
Strelitzia alba, Strelitzia caudata, and Strelitzia nicolai (Natal Wild Banana) make amazing specimen plants for medium to large gardens.
The Nicolai is perfect for coastal gardens, tolerating salty winds, but it should be planted in a large container to limit its aggressive root system, which can damage pavers or nearby structures.
Container-grown Nicolai plants flourish and bloom for many years, making them spectacular feature plants.
🌱 Propagation Tips
Strelitzias can be propagated by dividing mature clumps in Autumn, Winter, or Spring. Plant the divisions in deep holes enriched with organic compost and bonemeal.
Large divisions may take up to two seasons before they bloom again — but they’re well worth the wait!
Browse Our Online Nursery
Village Gardens is widely recognised as one of Cape Town’s best landscaping and garden design firms. Based in the Southern Suburbs, they pair creative vision with environmental sensitivity—specialising in water-wise, indigenous, edible and wildlife-friendly gardens.