Top 10 Must-Have Tropical Plants for Queensland Gardens
Heliconia Strictly Bella
Description:
Heliconia stricta 'Strictly Bella' is a compact, evergreen tropical plant renowned for its vibrant red bracts and lush green foliage. Reaching heights of 1.2 to 1.8 meters, it adds a striking visual appeal to gardens, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Its moderate size makes it suitable for smaller spaces and container planting.
Flowers:
Blooming from late winter to spring, 'Strictly Bella' produces bright red, lobster claw-shaped bracts that house small, inconspicuous flowers. These bracts are long-lasting and attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies, enhancing the garden's biodiversity.
Foliage:
The plant features broad, glossy green leaves with a maroon midrib, contributing to its tropical aesthetic. The foliage forms a dense clump, providing a lush backdrop to the vibrant bracts.
Form and Size:
With a clumping growth habit, 'Strictly Bella' typically reaches 1.2 to 1.8 meters in height. Its compact form makes it ideal for underplanting beneath taller palms and bamboos or as a feature in garden beds and large containers.
Growing Conditions:
Thriving in part sun to light shade, this heliconia prefers well-drained, rich soils. Consistent moisture is essential, but overwatering should be avoided to prevent root rot. Applying mulch helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Uses:
'Strictly Bella' is versatile in the landscape, suitable for mass planting in garden beds, underplanting beneath taller specimens, or as a striking feature in large pots. Its vibrant bracts are also excellent for cut flower arrangements, adding tropical flair indoors.
Maintenance:
Regular fertilization during the growing season promotes robust growth and flowering. Pruning spent flowers and damaged foliage maintains the plant's appearance. In cooler climates, protect the plant from frost to ensure longevity.
Notes:
'Strictly Bella' is relatively pest and disease-free. However, ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogged conditions to prevent fungal issues.
Companion Plants:
Pairs well with other tropical plants like gingers (Alpinia spp.), calatheas (Calathea spp.), and ferns, creating a lush, layered garden design.
Common Name: Strictly Bella Heliconia
Botanical Name: Heliconia stricta 'Strictly Bella'
Family: Heliconiaceae
Origin: Cultivar; species native to 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
Quantity:
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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.
- For more information on Deliveries outside the Sunshine Coast please click here
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