For a bold tropical effect in the garden, consider the banana and its relatives, the Heliconia, Bird-of-paradise and traveler’s tree.
For a bold tropical effect in the garden, consider the banana and its relatives, the Heliconia, Bird-of-paradise and traveler’s tree.
Hawaii is blessed with a unique climate. It is tropical, yet cooled by the trade winds. All require a good soil with moisture and some wind protection. The banana should be included in every garden as a good source of nutritional fruit.
But for striking flower, as well as leaves, it’s hard to beat some other members of the family Musaceae. The traveler’s tree, or Ravenala, from Madagasgar is too big for a small garden, so let’s concentrate on a few of these exotics that thrive in limited surroundings.
One of these belongs to the group called Heliconias. It is sometimes called false Bird-of-paradise or wild plantain. It includes some of the most striking inflorescences in the world along with luxuriant foliage.
Flowers often are concealed by leaves that are somewhat like those of the banana, broadly bladed, their basal stems forming the main stalk. There are many varieties growing from a few feet in height to 12 or 15 feet.
As garden material, the Heliconias require some room, but where this is available they make a good filler for tropical effects. The soil should be loose but water-holding since they need moisture. They also must be protected from wind to save their large leaves from damage, and have more shade in hot, sunny locations. They are propagated from suckers or clump divisions.
They are often called “lobster-claws” because the colorful keels of the flower stalk in which the flowers hide are incurved slightly at the end like the claw of a lobster.
Heliconia humilis, the flowering stalk, which is about 2 or 3 feet tall, is made up of bright boiled-lobster-red bracts (or keels) edged with dark green. The leaves of this variety are 6 to 8 feet in height. It is best used as a filler plant. The bloom comes on in early summer.
Then there is Heliconia elongata, similar to the above, but the keels are pinkish, deeply edged with yellow and green. This one blooms in early spring, and grows to about 8 feet.
The Golden Heliconia (H. latispatha) has golden-orange keels that are more slender and widely spaced on the flowering stalk. While the leaves grow to 7 or 8 feet, the flower stalk of this one is even taller, rising above these leaves that make it more conspicuous. This one blooms in the summer.
The red-leafed Heliconia (H. metallica) is primarily a foliage plant, with large, graceful, falling leaves about 8 feet tall. They are a metallic purplish-red below. The keels are reddish, slender not conspicuous, but make good cut flowers.
Heliconia aureo-striata has leaves that are striped with yellow midribs and veins.
Heliconia illustris is like Heliconia aureo-striata but has pinkish coloring on the leaves in addition to the yellow and green.
Heliconia rubra variegata is another one notable for its colorful leaves. The long blades are marked with cerise lines parallel to the veins, while the mid-rib and stem also are cerise-pink. The undersides of the leaves have more color than the top, and the younger leaves are brighter than the older ones. This variety makes an extremely attractive pot plant for patio use.
There is a dwarf variety called Heliconia psittacorum that is less than 3 feet tall. The inflorescence of this one is red. This, too, would make a good pot specimen. Several named varieties also are available of the “dwarf” types.
There are two that have dramatic inflorescences that droop in a brilliant swaying “fall” from the top of the flower stalk. These are called the “hanging” Heliconias. One has brilliant, pinkish-red keels that are narrow but long and widely spaced.
The real flowers within these red keels are large enough to be seen. They are bright yellow. The leaves of the plant grow to 12 feet, and the flower head might hang down to eye level. It can be seen to some extent among the leaves, but is more spectacular as a cut specimen. It blooms in late summer.
The other hanging form is Heliconia platystachys. The keels of this one are red, edged with green and yellow. This blooms in the autumn.
Heliconias have very few problems. Give them plenty of fertilizer and water. In return, you’ll have abundant flowers.
If you want to try the Bird-of-paradise, or Strelitzia, from Africa, you will find them more tolerant of wind and water stress. There are two common species. The orange and blue flowered Strelitzia reginae grows to 2 to 5 feet.
Strelitzia nicolai can reach 15 feet and has blue and white flowers. Strelitzia will tolerate some frost and yet grow in dryer salty areas along the coast.
Give them plenty of sun, and they will thrive on a minimum of care. Some of the best specimens can be seen in the Waimea area.
For further information about Heliconia, check out the International Heliconia Society website.
This information is supplied by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. For further information, contact the office near you.