Strelitzia reginae - The 'Bird of Paradise'
I think most people would agree that the crowning glory of the Bird of Paradise is its flower. Its very unique appearance is spectacular. The combination of blue, red, orange, white and the form of an elegant birds head makes this an outstanding specimen and talking point in any garden.
This image shows what the amateur gardener is trying to achieve, namely the flowers.
Now that we have all seen the flowers, it's time to look at the plant when the flowering season is over. Below is an image of densely planted Strelitzias in grass which doesn't look too bad if not a little boring (ignoring the shadow of course).
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This third image from the front of a house in Hawthorn is something I think we are all a little more familiar with. A randomly planted specimen with perhaps one or 2 flowers present and foliage that at times appears half dead. There is no cohesion between the plant and its surrounds.
I believe people buy this plant because it seems like a good idea at the time, more of an impulse buy than a well thought out acquisition. In my opinion this one time super fashionable species should not be present in new planned gardens across Australia, unless it fits the overall theme of the garden.
Do you agree or are you still a fan of the Bird of Paradise, I would like to read your comments....
I couldn't agree more. I think their is a call for more cohesive gardens even amongst the zero maintenance gardens of time poor people.
ReplyDeleteBird of Paradise can make a great centre piece or talking point if maintained, but it seems that the novelty soon wears off and the photo is the proof that even well intentioned planting can come to grief.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Argyle, they're great when in flower as a focal point in the garden, but as you said, the foliage often looks half dead and when in flower it usually only produces a couple or so flowers; cohesive gardens are needed more, I believe
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