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blue bird of paradise plant

If you’re searching for the elusive and exotic blue bird of paradise plant, you’re not alone. Many gardeners are captivated by this mythical plant’s supposed vibrant blue flowers and sculptural foliage. While the classic bird of paradise, known as Strelitzia reginae, boasts stunning orange and blue blooms, there’s much confusion around a true “blue” bird of paradise. Some plants commonly mistaken for the blue bird of paradise include tropical Strelitzia species as well as rare blue-flowering trees and shrubs. Let’s unravel the truth about the blue bird of paradise plant, discover alternative blue beauties, and find the perfect plants to infuse your New Zealand garden with dazzling colour.

Large Jacaranda mimosifolia tree with blue flowers.

Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue Jacaranda)

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Jacaranda mimosifolia, commonly known as the Blue Jacaranda tree, is a tropical-looking tree that is widely planted because of its beautiful and long-lasting blue flowers. Loose clusters of the deep blue-mauve flowers are borne across the tree through spring and summer.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 12.00 m
Spread: 8.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Japanese, Tropical
phlebodium-blue-star-

Phlebodium aureum Blue Star (Blue Star Fern)

The Blue Star Fern features wavy leaves that are a blue-green colour. This popular indoor plant grows as a clump to about 30 cm tall and the same wide. It grows best when positioned in partial shade on a well-drained soil in a sheltered spot. It will not tolerate wet growing conditions or frost.

Suited to regions: Subtropical
Plant type: Indoor Plants
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Tolerances: Shade
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Tropical
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Salvia 'Blue Angel'

Salvia 'Blue Angel' is a beautiful perennial known for its soft blue flower spikes that appear generously across summer and autumn in New Zealand...

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Blueberry 'Powder Blue' is a late season blueberry variety valued for its sweet flavour, firm berries, and extended harvest period. This reliable...

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Strelitzia reginae (Orange Bird Of Paradise)

Strelitzia reginae (Crane Flower, Bird Of Paradise) is an iconic tropical plant known for its bold orange and blue flowers that resemble a bird in...

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Prostanthera 'Eddington Blue'

Prostanthera 'Eddington Blue' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its masses of vibrant blue mauve flowers and highly aromatic foliage. This...

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Dichroa Blue Stars (Evergreen Hydrangea)

Dichroa 'Blue Stars' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its clusters of intense blue star shaped flowers followed by brilliant metallic blue...

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Podocarpus 'Matapouri Blue' hedge.
Podocarpus 'Matapouri Blue' (Blue Tōtara)

Podocarpus ‘Matapouri Blue’, also known as Blue Totara, is a stunning New Zealand native tree prized for its striking blue-green foliage and tidy...

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Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue' speciment tree.
Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue'

Pittosporum ‘Wrinkled Blue’ is an attractive, upright evergreen tree known for its distinctive blue-grey foliage and dense, columnar growth habit...

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Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird Of Paradise Plant)

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird Of Paradise) is a bold, architectural plant known for its large banana like leaves and striking white and blue...

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Cupressus 'Blue Ice' (Blue Arizona Cypress)

Cupressus 'Blue Ice' is a striking evergreen conifer admired for its vibrant icy blue foliage and strong upright growth habit. This hardy tree...

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Stromanthe triostar plant.
Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant)

Stromanthe Triostar is a popular indoor plant owing to its lush and colourful foliage. It features elegant, dark green, pink, and cream-coloured...

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Agapanthus 'Blue Finn' blue flower.
Agapanthus 'Blue Finn'

Agapanthus 'Blue Finn' is a compact, evergreen variety prized for its deep blue blooms and tidy, clumping habit. This hardy perennial adds a burst of...

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A Rosemary 'Blue Lagoon' shrub with blue flowers in a mixed planting.
Rosmarinus 'Blue Lagoon'

Rosmarinus ‘Blue Lagoon’ is a hardy, evergreen shrub prized for its aromatic foliage and vibrant deep blue flowers. Blooming from late winter through...

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Liriope muscari 'Blue Skies' plant with blue flowers and green foliage in a garden.
Liriope 'Blue Skies'

Liriope 'Blue Skies' is a blue-flowering Liriope that forms a tidy clump and features strap-like, dark green leaves. Flower spikes rise above the...

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Azalea 'Blue Danube'

Azalea 'Blue Danube' is a striking evergreen azalea admired for its masses of rich purple blue flowers and lush green foliage. This compact shrub...

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Wisteria 'Blue Sapphire' cluster of colourful blue flowers.
Wisteria 'Blue Sapphire'

Wisteria ‘Blue Sapphire’ is a stunning flowering climber prized for its long elegant racemes of rich blue violet flowers that appear in spring. This...

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An upright Rosemary 'Tuscan Blue' shrub with blue flowers in a Mediterranean themed garden.
Rosmarinus 'Tuscan Blue'

The 'Tuscan Blue' Rosemary is a fast-growing and upright variety that features petite, sky-blue flowers borne amidst the dark green leaves through...

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Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue' (Silver Gum)

Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue' is a highly popular evergreen tree admired for its stunning silver blue foliage and strong ornamental appeal. The rounded...

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Camellia 'Paradise Pearl'

Camellia 'Paradise Pearl' is an elegant evergreen shrub known for its beautiful soft white to blush toned flowers that bring brightness and...

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Camellia sasanqua 'Paradise Diana' bright pink flower.
Camellia sasanqua 'Paradise Diana'

Camellia sasanqua 'Paradise Diana' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its soft pink semi double blooms and glossy green foliage. Flowering...

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Camellia 'Paradise Gillian'

Camellia 'Paradise Gillian' is an elegant evergreen shrub that produces soft pink blooms with a refined appearance, bringing colour and charm to New...

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Strelitzia Mandelas Gold (Yellow Crane Flower)

Strelitzia reginae Mandelas Gold, commonly known as Yellow Crane Flower or Yellow Bird Of Paradise, produces spectacular yellow flowers through...

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Camellia 'Paradise Helen'

Camellia 'Paradise Helen' is a graceful evergreen shrub that produces soft pink blooms, adding elegance and seasonal colour to New Zealand gardens...

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Camellia 'Paradise Vanessa'

Camellia 'Paradise Vanessa' is a beautiful evergreen shrub that produces soft pink blooms, bringing elegance and seasonal colour to New Zealand...

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Camellia 'Paradise Blush' plant with pink and white flowers against dark green foliage.
Camellia 'Paradise Blush'

Camellia 'Paradise Blush' is a beautiful evergreen shrub that produces soft blush pink flowers, adding gentle colour and elegance to New Zealand...

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Azalea 'Paradise Elfin'

Azalea 'Paradise Elfin' is a compact evergreen azalea prized for its masses of colourful blooms and tidy rounded growth habit. Flowering generously...

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Disphyma australe pink flowers and fleshy, green leaves.
Disphyma australe (NZ Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe, commonly known as NZ Ice Plant, is a hardy and attractive groundcover valued for its fleshy, bright green foliage and striking...

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Lavender 'Sensation Blue' shrub with purple flowers above dark green foliage.
Lavender 'Sensation Blue'

Lavender 'Sensation Blue' is a standout lavender variety admired for its deep blue purple blooms and aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering from...

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Camellia 'Paradise Belinda'

Camellia 'Paradise Belinda' is a stunning evergreen shrub prized for its soft pink blooms that bring colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

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Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

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Fertiliser for acid loving plants (Acid Fertiliser)

Using fertiliser for acid loving plants is important for plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Daphne’s, Gardenia’s, and Hydrangea’s who...

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Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue Jacaranda)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Blueberry, Dichroa, and Jacaranda, or related Categories - Blueberry Plants, Indoor Plants, and Perennials.

Search blue bird of paradise plant

What Is the Blue Bird of Paradise Plant?

The blue bird of paradise plant is a term often used—sometimes mistakenly—to describe several showstopping plants. The original “bird of paradise,” Strelitzia reginae, features vivid orange petals with a splash of blue, resembling a colourful bird in flight. However, some gardeners hunt for a truly blue bird of paradise, which doesn’t technically exist. Instead, consider the breathtaking Strelitzia reginae (Strelitzia) as your go-to for easy-care, tropical flair and dramatic blooms. Native to South Africa, Strelitzia thrives outdoors in frost-free regions, or as a statement indoor plant.

Blue-Toned Alternatives for Your Garden

If you dream of blue flowers, leaves, or garden accents, there are remarkable alternatives that rival the mythical blue bird of paradise plant. For bold blue foliage, explore the Hosta Blue Mouse Ears, a compact perennial with charming blue-grey leaves, perfect for shaded borders and indoor pots. Prefer blue-flowering trees? The Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue Jacaranda) is a spectacular option—their soft blue-lavender blossoms create a canopy of colour during late spring and summer.

Looking for something with fragrant foliage? The Prostanthera Eddington Blue (Mint Bush Plant) offers aromatic leaves and subtle blue flowers, ideal for garden beds or decorative containers. For indoor gardeners, the Phlebodium aureum Blue Star (Blue Star Fern) brings a unique, cool blue-green hue to your living spaces, all while purifying the air and thriving in indirect light.

Growing Tips and Plant Care Advice

Whether you opt for the classic Strelitzia or a blue-toned alternative, the right care ensures lush growth and vibrant colour. Strelitzia reginae appreciates full sun and well-drained soil, and is moderately drought-tolerant once established. Keep in mind that these impressive plants can reach up to 1.5 metres in height and enjoy regular feeding during the warmer months.

For “blue” foliage perennials such as Hosta Blue Mouse Ears, plant in partial shade with rich, moist soil to maintain their distinctive colouring and compact form. Blue Jacaranda trees grow best in sunny locations protected from strong winds, with plenty of space to develop their umbrella-like canopy. Mint bush plants, like Prostanthera Eddington Blue, suit mixed beds and hedges, bringing delightful scent and seasonal blue flowers.

Shop Blue Beauties for Your NZ Garden

The search for the blue bird of paradise plant might lead you to some fascinating botanical treasures. Whether it’s the elegant Strelitzia, the serene blue jacaranda, or foliage wonders like Hosta and Blue Star Fern, our nursery curates a range of unique plants for gardeners seeking true colour and style. Explore the links above to browse blue-toned favourites and transform your garden into a sanctuary of vibrant hues.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

While Avocado 'Reed' and Ficus benjamina often steal the spotlight, charming plants like Acer 'Stella Rossa', Camellia 'Buttons and Bows', and Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree) quietly shine in any garden.
–The Plant Company

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