Strelitzia, otherwise known as Bird of Paradise, is named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenberg-Strelitz. If you buy them unopened, there is a trick to working with this flower. Gently use a sharp knife and cut a vertical slit down the tip. Next, dampen your hands. This is important! Carefully reach inside the slit and bring up the florets out of the bract until they are all revealed. This actually helps the flower to live longer which can be from 1 to 2 weeks. Florets can be removed as they get old and wither. This orange and purple flower is large and showy and often used in combination with other tropical flowers. All designs are by Whimsical Welcomes Floral Design in Skippack.
Questions about flowers? Contact me at WhimsicalWelcomes@yahoo.com
Happy Holidays Everyone!
