Looking like a giant banana, this spectacular cousin of “Bird of Paradise” can grow 15’-18’ here along the West Coast. Mostly grown for its dramatic, banana-like foliage, the huge, 5’-10’, blue-grey leaves are arranged fanwise atop erect multi-stemmed “trunks” that form a dense clump. The super-sized “Bird of Paradise” blooms can be as large as 18” long & 7” tall. Large, bluish, boat-like flower buds emerge in Spring & slowly open & release the white petals within. The usual way to grow Strelitzia nicolai is to water & fertilize regularly for rapid growth until it attains the desired size. Thereafter, give little or no fertilizer & less water to keep it in scale. Can be grown in a barrel sized container for 2 years. Hardy to 25° F.