Thursday 6 March 2008

A beautiful flower to start the day

Golden Torch Heliconia



This morning I went cycling with my two boys and in the garden saw some beautiful yellow flowers blooming. They grow so well at this time of year.

This flower has the classic look - a gold upright spike above dark green leaves. Great for the tropical look, and to bring almost instant colour and height to your garden.

Common names for the genus include lobster-claw and false bird-of-paradise, the latter from their close similarity to the bird-of-paradise flowers. Heliconia flowers are mostly hidden by the large, colourful specialised leaves called bracts. Thriving in full sun to semi-shade, the bracts may be produced most of the year but more particularly in the warmest months. Individual inflorescences last for many weeks, even when cut, making them an important cut flower for the floral trade. Heliconias are related to bananas, cannas and gingers and traditionally have been included in the Banana Family.

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