{"product_id":"heliconia-bihai-banana-split","title":"Heliconia bihai ‘Banana Split’","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeliconia bihai ’Banana Split’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Banana Split’ is one of the boldest of the erect \u003cem\u003eHeliconia bihai\u003c\/em\u003e selections, carrying a tall upright inflorescence of stiff, waxy bracts striped in red and yellow-green above broad paddle-shaped leaves. The clump behaves like a small banana in the garden, throwing up new canes each season and thickening steadily. In Queensland and northern New South Wales gardens it is grown for the sheer size of the flowering stem, which lasts for weeks on the plant and equally well when cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy ’Banana Split’\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStriped bracts\u003c\/strong\u003e: The two-tone red and yellow-green bracts are more strongly marked than most bihai forms.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eErect inflorescence\u003c\/strong\u003e: The flowering stem stands upright above the foliage rather than hanging, so it is visible from a distance.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong display\u003c\/strong\u003e: Individual inflorescences hold colour for several weeks through the warm season.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClump vigour\u003c\/strong\u003e: Establishes into a dense multi-caned clump that fills space quickly in warm humid conditions.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut flower quality\u003c\/strong\u003e: Stems are strong and long lasting in the vase, which is why the bihai types dominate tropical floristry.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTropical screening clump\u003c\/strong\u003e: Massed along a fence to create a dense leafy barrier that also flowers.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside planting\u003c\/strong\u003e: Delivers scale and colour in the humid microclimate around a pool.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCutting garden\u003c\/strong\u003e: Grown in a service area purely for the flowering stems.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBackdrop to lower tropical planting\u003c\/strong\u003e: Sits behind cordylines and gingers as the tall rear layer.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.2 to 1.8m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 to 2.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e The warm wet season, from late spring through summer\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep, rich, moisture-retentive soil with free drainage and heavy organic content\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the root zone constantly moist for the first six months and never allow a new clump to dry out. Mulch thickly with compost or leaf litter, feed monthly through the growing season, and cut spent canes to ground level to make room for new shoots.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.5 to 4m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 to 2.5m per clump, spreading slowly outward\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast in warm humid conditions\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen, large paddle-shaped leaves\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part shade to full sun with reliable moisture and shelter from wind\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Species native to the Caribbean and tropical South America\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red bracts marked with yellow to green\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795369034014,"sku":"ND-0926-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/UF4TmpLgTwsTMAwloRDcZ_CWdbSsTW.jpg?v=1787314384","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/heliconia-bihai-banana-split","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}