Botanical Name: Strelitzia nicolai
Common Name: Natal Wild Banana

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Indigenous
Evergreen/Deciduous : Evergreen
Plant Type : Shrub
Flower Colour : White and blue
Foliage Colour : Green
Best Season : Spring to summer
Light : Sun
Hardiness : Semi-hardy
Attributes : Wind Resistant, Attracts Birds & Butterflies
Height (m) : 5 - 10
Spread (m) : 4
    
Notes : Unlike Strelitzia reginae, this species is grown not so much for its flowers as for its form. It is a fast-growing shrub with tall, bare stems topped by large banana-like leaves. The outer flower segments are white, the inner blue, and the spathe is brownish red. The flowers produce nectar loved by sunbirds. Strelitzia nicolai can impart an immediate tropical effect in a garden. It tends to sucker from the base, so allow plenty of room for it to spread.

 

Plant in a protected position in areas that receive frost. Will thrive in soil that is compost enriched. Water regularly throughout the year in all areas. Wind resistant, making them most useful for coastal gardens. Resent disturbance and really only flower well when established. If this must be done, do it in early spring. Don't make too many divisions form a single specimen as they will take a long time to re-establish and flower again. May also be propagated from seed sown when ripe; set out the young plants about 1.5 metres apart.