{"product_id":"heliconia-rostrata","title":"Hanging Lobster Claw - Heliconia rostrata","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\u003eHanging Lobster Claw - Heliconia rostrata\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pendulous inflorescence is the entire point of this plant: a chain of stacked scarlet bracts, each tipped in yellow and green, hanging almost vertically from the stem like a string of lacquered claws. \u003cem\u003eHeliconia rostrata\u003c\/em\u003e grows as a clumping rhizomatous perennial with broad banana like leaves on upright canes, and the flowers hang clear of the foliage so they can be seen from below and from a distance. In Australia it is a plant for genuinely warm, humid, frost free gardens, and it repays rich soil and constant moisture with an extraordinary summer display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Hanging Lobster Claw\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePendulous bracts\u003c\/strong\u003e: The hanging red and yellow inflorescence is unlike anything else in the tropical palette and lasts for weeks on the plant.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong flowering\u003c\/strong\u003e: Established clumps produce successive flower stems through summer and into autumn.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBold foliage mass\u003c\/strong\u003e: Even out of flower the paddle shaped leaves give substantial tropical bulk at two metres and above.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClumping spread\u003c\/strong\u003e: It thickens outwards from rhizomes, so a single plant becomes a stand over a few seasons.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut flower value\u003c\/strong\u003e: The stems are a florist staple and hold well once cut.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTropical feature bed\u003c\/strong\u003e: Planted where the hanging flowers can be viewed from below, such as above a retaining wall or beside steps.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside planting\u003c\/strong\u003e: Provides height, colour and lushness in the warm humid microclimate around a pool.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnderstorey to palms\u003c\/strong\u003e: Sits well beneath tall palms where it gets filtered light and shelter from wind.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge containers\u003c\/strong\u003e: In marginal climates it can be grown in big pots and moved under cover for winter.\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 to 1.5m apart for a continuous stand\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 to 3m apart\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and early summer, at the start of the warm wet season\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep, rich, heavily composted soil that holds moisture but still drains, with a slightly acidic pH\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water generously and frequently through the warm months, as this plant will not flower well under moisture stress. Feed heavily with a complete fertiliser in spring and again in mid summer, and cut spent flowering canes to the ground once the bracts finish, since each cane flowers only once.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 to 3.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.5 to 3m, spreading as the clump matures\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast in warm conditions\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen in frost free climates\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part shade to filtered sun, with protection from hot dry wind\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e North western South America, including Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Scarlet red bracts tipped with yellow and green\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795369361694,"sku":"ND-0938-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500mm","offer_id":59795369394462,"sku":"ND-0938-500MM","price":900.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/0RfPHxL1MYqiWdVByssPB_e8XxuSJm.jpg?v=1787314383","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/heliconia-rostrata","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}