Mandela's Gold Bird of Paradise

Mandela's Gold Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae 'Mandela's Gold') is a rare yellow form of the familiar bird of paradise, with large paddle-shaped leaves and bright, bird-like flowers. It forms a clump 1.5m to 2m tall and about 1.5m wide, and it is a hardy landscaping plant for almost any garden. Plant it poolside or at the centre of a border and it brings a tropical look to the garden.

Why you'll love it

• A rare yellow flower. Brilliant yellow, bird-like blooms instead of the usual orange make it stand out even among strelitzia fans.
• Bold foliage. Large paddle-shaped leaves give year round structure, flowers or not.
• Hardy and adaptable. It grows in full sun to part shade and copes with coastal conditions, which makes it a reliable landscaping plant.
• Poolside friendly. It brings a tropical feel to a pool surround, and the clump habit keeps it tidy.
• Easy to multiply. Once established, new shoots can be separated and planted elsewhere in the garden.

Where it works best

Poolside and tropical style gardens. Plant 1.5m apart so each clump keeps its shape and the leaves have room to open.

Centre of a border. Use one plant as the striking accent in the middle of a mixed or grassy border.

Large containers. Its clumping habit suits big pots on a patio or entry, where the yellow flowers sit at eye level.

Growing Mandela's Gold Bird of Paradise in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with plenty of sun for the best flowering. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens and copes with coastal conditions. Established plants take a light frost, but young growth can be marked, so shelter the plant in colder districts.

Soil. Free-draining soil with a layer of mulch over the roots. In a container, use a quality potting mix in a large pot.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, around 12 weeks. Established plants cope with dry spells. Feed with a liquid fertiliser twice a year to keep the plant healthy.

Pruning. Remove spent flowers and old foliage as required. A stressed plant can attract mealybug and scale, so keep it fed and treat any infestation with eco-oil.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Mandela's Gold Bird of Paradise as tube stock and in single 300mm pots. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the economical way to start a clump, but strelitzias take a few seasons to reach flowering size. The 300mm plant arrives larger and gives you a bold leafy feature straight away.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Plants for poolside gardens
• More tropical plants
• Coastal and salt tolerant plants
• Growing the giant bird of paradise, Strelitzia nicolai

Common questions

How long until it flowers?

From tube stock, expect a few seasons before it flowers well. The 300mm plant gets there sooner. Good sun and a twice yearly feed speed things up.

Is it safe for pets?

No. Like other strelitzias, parts of the plant can upset the stomach of a dog or cat that chews them, so plant it where pets are unlikely to graze.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes. It suits large containers. Choose a big pot with good drainage and a sunny position, and feed it twice a year.