False Bird of Paradise
Heliconia
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Heliconia is a diverse group of tropical herbaceous perennials. The Heliconia psittacorum we have ON SALE grow in clusters with long lance shaped leaves. They sport unique yellow, red, or orange flowers that resemble a parrot’s beak and that is why they are also known as False Bird of Paradise or Parrot Flower. Heliconia psittacorum can grow from 2’ -6’ tall depending on the variety you choose. The varieties we are offering are Lady Di, Andromeda, and Dwarf choconiana. Heliconia thrive in fertile, well drained soil with regular watering and can be planted in part shade to full sun. They are truly a tropical species and therefore are frost sensitive. Cutting back the foliage in winter will produce new sprouts when warm temperatures return. Clusters of the rhizomes should be divided when they become too thick to encourage good leaf and flower formation.
Fun Fact!
Heliconia is native to the tropics of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Most are pollinated by hummingbirds due to their bright colored flowers and abundance of nectar. Some heliconia can only be pollinated by specific hummingbirds due to each variety having a unique shape of flower. There are even some heliconia that open their flowers at night to be pollinated by nectar loving bats.
