Real World Gardener Heliconias in Talking Flowers

TALKING FLOWERS

Heliconia

Common Names: Imposter bird of paradise, false bird of paradise, wild plantains and lobster claws.

• Heliconia flower is not actually a flower but highly modified leaves and bracts.
• A bract is a leaf structure at the base of a flower.

The trick about growing Heliconias outdoors is that the climate must be tropical.

1. The far north of Australia is perfect because it's hotter and the more north, the hotter it gets. 

• They are also really thirsty; give them roughly 120 ml of water a day. ;
• Mulch is really important.: cut the leaves off and put them under the plant to help with water retention.". 

 Some of the commonly grown Heliconia species include 

Heliconia lennartiana; 

Heliconia Augusta, 

Heliconia bihai, (pictured right)

Heliconia brasiliensis, 

Heliconia caribaea, 

Heliconia latispatha, 

Heliconia pendula, 

Heliconia psittacorum, 

Heliconia rostrata, 

Heliconia schiediana, and Heliconia wagneriana. 

I'm talking with Mercedes Sarmini of www.floralgossip.com.au