{"product_id":"heliconia-bihai-chocolate-dancer","title":"Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’","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 ’Chocolate Dancer’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere most heliconias shout in scarlet and orange, ’Chocolate Dancer’ works in a much darker register: deep maroon to chocolate-toned bracts with lighter keels, held erect on strong stems above the usual broad tropical foliage. The muted colouring reads beautifully against green and burgundy planting and photographs far better than the brighter forms in strong tropical light. It is a plant for gardeners who already have heliconias and want one that is not the obvious choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy ’Chocolate Dancer’\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnusual bract colour\u003c\/strong\u003e: The deep maroon to chocolate tones set it apart from the standard red and orange heliconias.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUpright presentation\u003c\/strong\u003e: The inflorescence is carried erect, keeping the colour above the leaf line.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStrong foliage clump\u003c\/strong\u003e: Even out of flower the paddle leaves form a solid tropical mass.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarm-season performer\u003c\/strong\u003e: Flowers through the humid months when many other plants are past their best.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlorist stem\u003c\/strong\u003e: The dark bracts are prized for arrangements where red would be too dominant.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDark-toned tropical border\u003c\/strong\u003e: Combines with burgundy cordylines and dark alocasias for a moody planting scheme.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeature clump near seating\u003c\/strong\u003e: The subtlety of the colour rewards close viewing from a deck or terrace.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShaded courtyard filler\u003c\/strong\u003e: Handles part shade and brings colour to positions the brighter heliconias find too dim.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMixed heliconia collection\u003c\/strong\u003e: Provides tonal contrast among red and yellow flowering forms.\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 Late spring through summer, once soil temperatures are high\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, well drained soil kept consistently moist; heavy compost at planting pays off\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water daily in hot weather for the first two months, then keep the clump evenly moist rather than letting it swing between wet and dry. Mulch heavily, apply a balanced fertiliser every four to six weeks through the growing season, and shelter the clump from wind which shreds the leaves.\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\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast in warm humid conditions\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen, broad and banana-like\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part shade to filtered sun; full sun only with abundant water\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 Deep maroon to chocolate red with paler keels\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795290259742,"sku":"ND-0927-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/WSEvIn7ojuKFwh9cJIm2K_8qPb9TFa.jpg?v=1787312777","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/heliconia-bihai-chocolate-dancer","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}