Pronounciation: Stre-LIT-see-a re-gi-NA-e

Hardiness zones
Sunset 9, 12-21 (with protection), 22-24
USDA 9 (with adequate protection), 10-11

Landscape Use: Protected entry way accent, mesic landscape shade gardens, shaded poolside plant.

Form & Character: Upright, bold, stiff and rigid, arching, tropical.

Growth Habit: Evergreen, herbaceous, acaulescent, broadleaf perennial shrub, moderately basally clumping to 5-feet tall with a 6-feet wide spread.

Foliage/Texture: Elongated, gray-green leathery leaves with a dominate succulent midvein and extended sheathed petiole, leaves tend to show marginal tip necrosis in Phoenix; coarse texture.

Flowers & Fruits: Beautiful, multicolor flowers with a misture of whites, oranges, and blues on extended stalks; fruits insgnificant.

Seasonal Color: Flowers in late fall and winter.

Temperature: Intolerant of freezing temperatures and temperatures about 100^oF.

Light: In Phoenix, partial to full shade is a necessity for sustainable culture. Otherwise, full sun culture of bird of paradise in lower southwest desert landscapes will quickly result in foliar leaf scorch (sunburn) and eventual plant death. In stark contrast, bird of paradise can be grown in full sun along the southern and central California Pacific coastline.

Soil: Light to heavy, avoid high alkalinity.

Watering: Regular

Pruning: Remove spent flowers on a stalk as they senesce.

Propagation: Division of basal clumps every 5 years will generate a plethora of young plants.

Disease and Pests: Bird of paradise provides cover for snails and slugs in southern California. In contrast, there are no 'biotic' disease or pest problems in Phoenix.

Additional comments: Bird of paradise is the Los Angeles city flower where it blooms profusely in winter and spring. However, bird of paradise's blooming intensity (both flower number and color intensity) is greatly reduced in Phoenix because of its high shade requirement for sustainable culture (stayin' alive!).