Bird of Paradise poking through the screen porch. (click to enlarge) Picture: Tom MacCubbin It all starts off with that cute little plant at the garden center. You bring it home, nourish it and soon it becomes a monster. What do you do with a bird of paradise that is growing out of control? First let me clarify it's normally only the white bird of paradise that has the problem. The plants have that tropical look with big leaves and the promise of exotic white flowers. Well, the plant fulfills all of this and more -- it grows to an enormous size too. Many gardeners are adding them to their landscapes and worst yet the screen enclosed pool areas. It's not abnormal to see them poking their leaves up through the screens. Gardeners are then wondering what are they going to do. Remember that stalk has but one bud in the top. So if you cut it back the trunk is going to die. Well here are some options as I see them? And of course I would repair the screen too.  Cut the protruding leaves off back to the trunk and trim others as long a possible -- then eventually do one of the following. Cut the trunk back to the ground and wait for new shoots to fill in and continue the plant. Divide the plant and remove the taller portions. Relocate the entire plant to the great outdoors but within sight of the screened area so you can still enjoy the plant. Share the plant with a friend and get something more suitable for your yard. All could be workable. But it's probably best not to make the mistake in the first place. Just realize the white bird of paradise is a large growing plant and give it lots of room. I wonder why landscapers and garden centers never seem to give their clients this fair warning? Or maybe we are just not listening.

<%=Session("copyright")%>