Top 10 Must-Have Tropical Plants for Queensland Gardens
Heliconia champneiana Splash
Description:
Heliconia champneiana 'Splash' is a striking tropical plant renowned for its bold, variegated foliage and vibrant inflorescences. This clumping perennial is prized for its dramatic presence in tropical and subtropical gardens, where its broad, variegated leaves and striking flowers create a lush, exotic feel. 'Splash' is particularly notable for its cream-colored streaks that adorn the green leaves, adding a stunning visual contrast. It thrives in warm, humid climates and is often used as a feature plant in garden beds or as part of tropical-themed landscapes.
Flowers:
The eye-catching flowers of Heliconia champneiana 'Splash' appear from late spring through summer. The inflorescences are upright, featuring bright yellow to orange bracts with red or pink edges, which attract pollinators like hummingbirds and bees. These flowers are long-lasting and add a vivid pop of color to the plant’s overall appearance.
Foliage:
The large, paddle-shaped leaves are the defining feature of this cultivar. They are green with bold, creamy-white streaks and splashes, giving the plant its 'Splash' name. The variegation adds dynamic contrast in the garden and works as an eye-catching focal point. The leaves can grow up to 1 meter long, creating a dense, tropical display.
Fruit:
Heliconia champneiana rarely produces noticeable fruit in cultivation. Its primary ornamental value comes from its foliage and flowers.
Form and Size:
This clump-forming plant typically grows to 2-3 meters tall and 1-2 meters wide. Its upright growth habit and large leaves contribute to its bold, architectural appearance, making it an excellent choice for filling out garden beds or creating a backdrop in tropical-themed landscapes.
Growing Conditions:
Heliconia champneiana 'Splash' thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers consistently moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. It does best in tropical and subtropical climates but can be grown in temperate regions with protection from frost. Regular watering is required to maintain its lush foliage, and it appreciates high humidity for optimal growth.
Uses:
'Splash' is ideal as a feature plant in tropical or subtropical gardens, where its bold foliage and bright flowers can be fully appreciated. It also works well in large containers or as a backdrop for smaller flowering plants. Its dramatic form makes it perfect for creating a lush, tropical look in garden beds or borders.
Maintenance:
Low-maintenance in the right conditions, Heliconia champneiana 'Splash' requires regular watering and occasional pruning of old or damaged leaves to keep it looking tidy. Mulching helps retain moisture, and feeding with a balanced fertilizer in spring will encourage strong growth and flowering. Protect from frost in cooler climates by growing in a sheltered location or bringing potted plants indoors during winter.
Notes:
'Splash' is best suited to warm, frost-free environments, and its large size requires space to accommodate its impressive foliage. Regular maintenance will help prevent the plant from becoming too dense and ensure that its bold variegation remains a feature in the garden.
Companion Plants:
Pairs beautifully with other tropical plants such as Ginger, Canna lilies, and Bird of Paradise. It also contrasts well with large-leafed plants like Alocasia and smaller flowering perennials like Hibiscus or Ixora.
Common Name: Heliconia 'Splash'
Botanical Name: Heliconia champneiana 'Splash'
Family: Heliconiaceae
Origin: Tropical America
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Quantity:
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Delivery Options
- We Offer a local Sunshine Coast delivery service in our Truck.
- Orders placed before Tuesday 9.00am will be Delivered on Wednesday and or Friday of that week on the Sunshine Coast.
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Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-store however we can either order it in or deliver it to your door. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into store soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
- the above information is exactly the same for Pots. they come and go all year around so please send us a message via the chat button and we will get back to you with availability
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
- Visit us instore and get the right advice the first time to make your plants succeed
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use Rocky Point potting mixes to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use Rocky Point garden soil around your plants at the time of planting