Heliconia x nickeriensis (Parakeet Flower, Parrot's Beak) is a hybrid between H. psittacorum and H. marginata. It can be planted in
partial shade to full sun and is almost disease-free. A very vigorous growing plant, it can reach up to about 6 to 8 feet in height and is a prolific bloomer. It likes humidity and with fertilizer, produces blooms throughout the year.
The more colourful orange parts are actually the bracts. Bracts are orange-red with a yellow border and
yellow rachis. The wide stretch of the bract makes an ideal perch for this tiny sunbird.
The striking colours make them stand out dramatically against the green foliage. They can also be planted in containers and make excellent cut flowers.
Its tall upright lance-like leaves have long
leaf stalks that look more like banana leaves.
A colourful insect bearing the same colours as the bract-flowers purposefully ascends, towards the flower spikes. 
The 'stem' is actually made up of
rolled leaf bases and the flowers emerge from the centre. When the flowers fade, the stems should be pruned off to to encourage
new growth and also to generally tidy up for improved appearance.
Heliconias are generally invasive. As seen here, it has invaded a flower bed of Allamanda cathartica.
Red-green leaves of Dracaena marginata, tiny red flowers of Russelia equisetiformi and Heliconia nickeriensis growing happily in tight confines.
This series of pictures were taken very early in the morning when it was still not bright.
A female sunbird landed on one of the bracts to ponder the nectar within.
When it was done, it suddenly took flight. I didn't have time to dial up the shutter speed, resulting in a blurred image.
The maturing flower spike.
A fully formed bloom with eight tiers of bracts.
A solitary ant did an investigation of the flower.
A bee posturing at the tip of a true flower.
An Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis) hope from a flower pot onto the ledge of the flower planter box and ...
rest under the shade of the foliage.
Your heliconias look really healthy. Great photography as always.
ReplyDeleteThanks. In Malaysia with full sunshine and heavy rainfall, Heliconias actually grow vigorously and aggressively.
DeleteThe bird and the heliconia are so amazing. I admired the way you captured all those things. Almost perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks Normala. The sunbirds are forever frolicking in my garden, and sipping nectar. This is one of the reasons why I love to plant flowering plants instead of just foliage.
DeleteWhat a colourful flowers! Cute little sunbird! Your garden is so lovely!
ReplyDeleteHi Malar! I love the sunbirds too. They are like my pets without me having to feed them with bird seeds. They are free to come and go as they like and besides there are many other types of birds to watch too.
DeleteVery lovely flower, Elsie. Heliconia seems Strelitzia, does not it?
ReplyDeleteThe sunbird is so smart and very fast.
The leaves seem quite similar but those of the Strelitzia are more leathery and fibrous. Sunbirds are small and move swiftly.
DeleteGorgeous photos, Heliconia flowers are stunning and the sunbird is beautiful. Unfortunately for us it's not quite warm enough to grow Heliconia's although I know a few people in Sydney manage to grow them outside in sheltered micro climates. Best Wishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen. Heliconias are lovely, as the leaves are large and lush while the flower spikes lasts for weeks. The only drawback is that they can be invasive.
DeleteYour garden with lots of blooms are attracting many lovely birds. If I were a bird, I would too! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely flowers!
Birds and flowers are concordant with each other's existence :) This spurs me to plant more flowering plants to invite the birds and the bees and other critters in. Unfortunately pests come along too.
DeleteLove that first picture... wooh, nice framing... and that little bug too...
ReplyDeleteThanks IrongLim. Haven't heard from you for a while. Glad that you are back in blogosphere. I was admiring your snow-white chooks posted in your blog.
DeleteThe geometric pattern of this plant is so interesting and the contrast of the orange-yellow with green is striking. The first image is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Hi Yoko, glad to hear from you after so long. Capturing the first image was simply serendipitous!
DeleteStiletto, the colours of the insect and bird are so matching with those of the heliconia bloom! Wonderful capture and what a beautiful plant to have - oh so tropical! Have a great day! Cheers, Stephanie
ReplyDeleteHi Stephanie. I've realised that it is so much easier not to battle with Nature. It's so much easier and rewarding to plant tropical plants here than to plant temperate plants. I used to have lots of tall rose bushes, but one year when there was a heavy rainfall, they all died.
DeleteHave a great weekend, I planned to take a long weekend break and return to my hometown.
Hi, I'm in FL and I have heliconia nickeriensis on my balcony. It's only going to get a few hours of sun in the afternoon. DO you think that's enough for it to bloom? What kind of fertilizer do you use?
ReplyDelete