Our store kitty Louie loves strelitzia-- aka birds of paradise. He enjoys the stems mostly, rubbing his lips and fangs along the green jacket just below the flower petals. We love them because they're big showy spots of color, and it doesn't take very many to put together something special. Strelitzia look very striking all by themselves; with just a few leaves they're even more dramatic. If you like more of an architectural look to your flowers, consider the birds, and other tropicals. Originally available in orange/purple only, advances in cultivars mean they're now also available in white, lighter orange with white eyes, and softer salmon. The orange variety is still the most common. In areas of high humidity they last for several weeks. Here in Alaska where almost everyone has forced air heat, one can expect a week or two from them. Forced air heat is very dehydrating to fragile flower petals-- so make sure you're displaying any flower AT LEAST 3 feet from any blowing air-- heater, fan, computer, TV. You'll notice a difference in how long things last. Next time you see strelitzia, give them a try, even if you normally prefer "ordinary" flowers. You could find a new favorite-- or at least a new combination of favorites!

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