I was running to the store to pick up "a few things" and couldn't resist stopping in the garden center for a "quick look" and this little beauty begged to go home with me and I just couldn't say NO. = )
Lookie Lookie what I bought today....
Ohh and this one jumped in my arms and begged too. LOL = )
Really nice!!! Is that second photo of Jamaican Dwarf? Don't you just LOVE the Heliconias?...
yes it is !!! Love em but the parrots beak one can spread a little too much for my liking planted in the ground.
I plan to keep these plants in pots not in ground in part sun/shade
P.S
Wish I lived in your neck of the woods, you can grow some that cant be grown anywhere else.
I believe there is a pinkish white one I just love only grown in HI
This message was edited Dec 18, 2006 11:07 AM
This message was edited Dec 18, 2006 11:08 AM
pretty !
That first one looks like a Heliconis latispatha, and yes, it can take over a garden, especially if it is the shorter growing variety (gets to a max about 4-5 feet--commonly seen here in Central Florida at a little over 3 feet). A lovely flower, but a real dominator in the garden if not watched and controlled carefully. You are right to keeo it in a pot--a nice sized one preferably. Also, be prepared to divide it a couple of times a year to keep it from getting to crowded in on itself.
The second one---'Dwarf Jamaican' (Heliconia stricta), I have found to be very cooperative and easy to grow. It makes a nice thick, rounded, and orderly clump and doesn't send runner/rhizomes everywhere like the latispatha does. It stays a little over 2 feet tall--sometimes a little taller, and is such a nice little plant with attractive leaves. if you put it in the ground, make sure to plant it closer the front of the bed with the growing plants behind it.
Thanks for the good info Nscesselberry.
I've learned my lesson with Heliconia.
Question can this plant be left in water?
I saw it in a pot, submersed water today? ( latispatha )
MY jamaican dwarfs are multiplying like rabbits! I planted many small clumps out in display beds in the spring and by fall they were huge.They have never stopped blooming inside or outside. :-) I just wish the flowers were taller than the leaves.
I agree a shame to hide those beautiful flowers.
Yep---all Helis' will multilpy nicely. Some, however, are downright invasive like many forms of the latispatha, Another to watch for is the pssitacorum. The underground rhizomes are like Florida urban sprawl: they often pop up a nice distance from the rest of the other clumps and start a new one there. LOL I do like the effect though when they mixed in with my Costus barbatus gingers. These gingers can hold their own and when the two bloom mixed together--WOW! I have the 'Andromeda' variety of pssitacorum--pretty common, but very pretty.
And some of us learn the hard way!!!! We are considering using Nuclear arms on our pssitacorum....can't even throw them in the bush...!!!