Top 10 Must-Have Tropical Plants for Queensland Gardens
Heliconia bihai 'Chocolate Dancer'
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Description:
Heliconia bihai 'Chocolate Dancer' is a striking tropical plant known for its bold, upright bracts in deep chocolate tones that contrast beautifully with bright orange or yellow flowers. This evergreen perennial adds an exotic flair to gardens and is highly valued for its architectural form and long-lasting, vibrant bracts. It thrives in warm, tropical climates, making it an ideal choice for lush, tropical-themed gardens.
Flowers:
The inflorescence of 'Chocolate Dancer' features dark, chocolate-colored bracts that encase bright orange or yellow flowers. These flowers are both ornamental and functional, attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies. The blooms last for an extended period, adding long-lasting color to the garden.
Foliage:
The plant has large, paddle-shaped leaves with a glossy green surface and prominent veins. The foliage grows in clumps, forming a lush, dense canopy that complements the vivid bracts.
Form and Size:
This heliconia has a clumping growth habit, typically reaching a height of 2 to 3 meters and a spread of 1.5 to 2 meters. Its upright, architectural form makes it a striking focal point in the landscape.
Growing Conditions:
Heliconia bihai 'Chocolate Dancer' thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers rich, well-draining soil with consistent moisture. It requires warm temperatures and high humidity to flourish, making it ideal for tropical and subtropical regions. Regular watering and mulching help maintain soil moisture and support healthy growth.
Uses:
This plant is perfect for use as a feature plant in tropical gardens, as a screen or backdrop in mixed borders, or as a container specimen in large pots. Its vibrant bracts are also highly prized in the cut flower industry for their long vase life and striking appearance.
Maintenance:
Relatively low-maintenance, this heliconia benefits from regular watering and fertilization with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Remove spent flowers and damaged leaves to keep the plant tidy and encourage new growth. Protect from frost, as the plant is sensitive to cold temperatures.
Notes:
Heliconia bihai 'Chocolate Dancer' is valued for its dramatic bracts and robust growth. It thrives in tropical climates and requires protection from frost in cooler regions. In areas with suitable conditions, it is an excellent choice for creating a lush, exotic atmosphere.
Companion Plants:
Pairs well with other tropical plants such as Cordyline, Alpinia (Ginger), and Calathea. It also complements ferns and ground covers like Monstera and Philodendron, adding layers of texture and color to the landscape.
Common Name: Chocolate Dancer Heliconia
Botanical Name: Heliconia bihai 'Chocolate Dancer'
Family: Heliconiaceae
Origin: Central and South America
As we cannot guarantee stock all year around on Pots & Plants please hit us up via the chat button and we can get back to you with availability
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Delivery Options
- We Offer a local Sunshine Coast delivery service in our Truck.
- Orders placed before Tuesday 9.00am will be Delivered on Wednesday and or Friday of that week on the Sunshine Coast.
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Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-store however we can either order it in or deliver it to your door. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into store soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
- the above information is exactly the same for Pots. they come and go all year around so please send us a message via the chat button and we will get back to you with availability
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
- Visit us instore and get the right advice the first time to make your plants succeed
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use Rocky Point potting mixes to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use Rocky Point garden soil around your plants at the time of planting
