Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia
Dark chocolate-red tropical bracts create dramatic exotic contrast and lush resort-style landscape impact.
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$140.00
Sale price
$140.00
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Pot size
Available batches
- Current height guide
- Please enquire
- Pot size
- 30cm/33cm
Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.
Height guide & disclaimer
Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.
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About this tree
About this tree
- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 3m
Heliconia bihai 'Chocolate Dancer' is a clumping tropical perennial with tall upright stems and broad, banana like leaves. The flower bracts are the draw: waxy, boat shaped and held in an upright rank, coloured deep chocolate red with finer lighter edges. The foliage stays green all year.
It needs a frost free climate, so tropical, subtropical and warm coastal gardens only. Full sun to part shade suits it, in rich, moisture retentive but well drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Growth is vigorous, 80 centimetres to 1.8 metres a year, and it spreads by underground rhizome.
Plant it for rainforest and resort style gardens, along pool surrounds, in courtyards needing height and screening, or as a mass beneath established palms. The flowers also cut well for indoor arrangements. For buyers it delivers scale and tropical colour faster than almost anything else you can put in the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Heliconia 'Chocolate Dancer'
What is Heliconia bihai 'Chocolate Dancer'?
It is a cultivar of Heliconia bihai, a clumping perennial from tropical America related to bananas and gingers. The name refers to its dark bracts, which are deep chocolate red rather than the usual bright scarlet. Stems are upright and leafy, and mature clumps thicken into a dense stand of tropical foliage.
How tall does it grow?
Stems reach around 2 to 3 metres, and a clump spreads to roughly 1 to 2 metres across before it needs dividing. Growth is fast in warm humid conditions, adding 80 centimetres to 1.8 metres in a season. In cooler subtropical gardens it tends to sit at the lower end of both figures.
When does it flower?
Flowering runs from spring through to autumn, with the heaviest display over the warm humid months from about October to April. Individual bracts hold on the stem for weeks and stay colourful well after they open. Plants need to be well established and well fed before they flower reliably.
Is it frost tolerant?
No. It is frost sensitive, and even a light frost will burn the foliage, while a hard frost kills stems back to the ground. Grow it only in frost free coastal and tropical districts, or in a protected courtyard with overhead cover in marginal areas. Cold dry wind also damages the leaves.
Where in Australia does it grow?
Coastal Queensland, the Northern Territory top end and northern New South Wales suit it best, along with frost free pockets further south where humidity and summer warmth are reliable. It will grow in a warm sheltered Sydney garden but flowers less freely. Cool temperate districts are not viable outdoors.
Can it be grown in a pot?
Yes, in a large container with a rich, free draining mix, though clumps outgrow pots within a few years and need dividing. Keep the mix moist through summer and feed monthly in the warm months. Potted plants can be shifted under cover during cold snaps, which extends the range it can be grown in.
How do I care for Chocolate Dancer Heliconia?
Keep the soil moist through the warm months and mulch heavily with organic matter. Feed every six to eight weeks in spring and summer with a complete fertiliser. Cut spent flowering stems out at ground level, since each stem flowers only once. Divide congested clumps in spring every three or four years.
Mature height & width
Mature height & width
- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 3m
Pot sizes & dimensions
Pot sizes & dimensions
| Pot / bag size | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| 30cm Pot | 33cm | 30cm |
| 40cm/45L Pot | 44cm | 41.5cm |
| 50cm Pot / 70L Pot | 55cm | 41.8cm |
| 100L Bag | 50.6cm | 52.8cm |
| 150L Bag | 66cm | 55cm |
| 200L Bag | 71.5cm | 60.5cm |
| 300L Bag | 88cm | 63.8cm |
| 400L Bag | 99cm | 66cm |
| 500L Bag | 122cm | 66cm |
| 750L Bag | 134cm | 69cm |
| 1000L Bag | 146.3cm | 71.5cm |
| 2000L Bag | 176cm | 82.5cm |
General planting reference from our existing size guide. Actual containers can vary by supplier and batch; confirm exact dimensions if required.
Delivery & pickup
Delivery & pickup
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Trade enquiries
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About Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’
Heliconia bihai 'Chocolate Dancer' is a clumping tropical perennial with tall upright stems and broad, banana like leaves. The flower bracts are the draw: waxy, boat shaped and held in an upright rank, coloured deep chocolate red with finer lighter edges. The foliage stays green all year.
It needs a frost free climate, so tropical, subtropical and warm coastal gardens only. Full sun to part shade suits it, in rich, moisture retentive but well drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Growth is vigorous, 80 centimetres to 1.8 metres a year, and it spreads by underground rhizome.
Plant it for rainforest and resort style gardens, along pool surrounds, in courtyards needing height and screening, or as a mass beneath established palms. The flowers also cut well for indoor arrangements. For buyers it delivers scale and tropical colour faster than almost anything else you can put in the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Heliconia 'Chocolate Dancer'
What is Heliconia bihai 'Chocolate Dancer'?
It is a cultivar of Heliconia bihai, a clumping perennial from tropical America related to bananas and gingers. The name refers to its dark bracts, which are deep chocolate red rather than the usual bright scarlet. Stems are upright and leafy, and mature clumps thicken into a dense stand of tropical foliage.
How tall does it grow?
Stems reach around 2 to 3 metres, and a clump spreads to roughly 1 to 2 metres across before it needs dividing. Growth is fast in warm humid conditions, adding 80 centimetres to 1.8 metres in a season. In cooler subtropical gardens it tends to sit at the lower end of both figures.
When does it flower?
Flowering runs from spring through to autumn, with the heaviest display over the warm humid months from about October to April. Individual bracts hold on the stem for weeks and stay colourful well after they open. Plants need to be well established and well fed before they flower reliably.
Is it frost tolerant?
No. It is frost sensitive, and even a light frost will burn the foliage, while a hard frost kills stems back to the ground. Grow it only in frost free coastal and tropical districts, or in a protected courtyard with overhead cover in marginal areas. Cold dry wind also damages the leaves.
Where in Australia does it grow?
Coastal Queensland, the Northern Territory top end and northern New South Wales suit it best, along with frost free pockets further south where humidity and summer warmth are reliable. It will grow in a warm sheltered Sydney garden but flowers less freely. Cool temperate districts are not viable outdoors.
Can it be grown in a pot?
Yes, in a large container with a rich, free draining mix, though clumps outgrow pots within a few years and need dividing. Keep the mix moist through summer and feed monthly in the warm months. Potted plants can be shifted under cover during cold snaps, which extends the range it can be grown in.
How do I care for Chocolate Dancer Heliconia?
Keep the soil moist through the warm months and mulch heavily with organic matter. Feed every six to eight weeks in spring and summer with a complete fertiliser. Cut spent flowering stems out at ground level, since each stem flowers only once. Divide congested clumps in spring every three or four years.
- Foliage
Evergreen (foliage year round)
- Position
- Form
- Use
- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 3m
Planting Information
Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia is expected to grow 80cm to 1.8m per year under suitable conditions.
Long Term Care For Your Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia
Planting Your Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia in Different Soil
Uses in my Garden
Uses in my Garden
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia works in an:
Is Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia Evergreen or Deciduous?
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height & Width
Mature Height: 2m to 4m
Mature Width: 1.5m to 3m
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia is expected to grow 80cm to 1.8m per year under suitable conditions.
Growth Rate of Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia is expected to grow 80cm to 1.8m per year under suitable conditions.
They are considered to have a:
Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia
Is Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia frost tolerant?
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.
Does Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia Flower?
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ produces striking upright flower bracts in deep chocolate-red and burgundy tones through the warmer months. The blooms rise prominently above the lush tropical foliage, creating a bold exotic display and strong architectural impact within the landscape.
Does Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Red
Is Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia an Australian Native Tree?
No
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia is Native to Cultivated tropical selection derived from Central and South American Heliconia bihai species.
What is the Wildlife Value of Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia ?
Its vibrant flowers attract bees and nectar-feeding birds throughout the flowering season, supporting biodiversity within tropical and subtropical landscapes. The dense lush foliage also provides sheltered habitat for beneficial insects and small wildlife in humid garden settings.
How much Sunlight does Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia need?
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia will thrive best in:
Preferred Soil?
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ performs best in rich, well-drained loam soils with high organic content and an acidic to neutral pH. It will also tolerate heavier soils if improved with compost and organic matter to support drainage and moisture retention. Avoid dry sandy soils or persistently waterlogged conditions, as both extremes can reduce vigour and flowering quality. Keep soil consistently moist during active growth for best performance and appearance.
Is Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia Drought Tolerant?
Is Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia Drought tolerant?
As a young plant it requires regular watering to establish healthy vigorous growth, particularly during warmer weather. Once established, ‘Chocolate Dancer’ shows moderate drought tolerance for short periods but performs best with consistent moisture to maintain lush foliage and strong flowering performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare sizes side by side
30cm/33cm
Approx. 1.2m – 2.0m
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ is loved for its Dark chocolate-red tropical bracts create dramatic exotic contrast and lush resort-style landscape impact.
We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.
Plant Your Heliconia bihai ‘Chocolate Dancer’ – Chocolate Dancer Heliconia With:
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Balls' is Star Jasmine grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere. The small glossy leaves sit tight on a woody framework, holding a clean rounded outline year round. White pinwheel flowers open in spring and carry a strong sweet scent right across a courtyard.
Ball specimens hold at about 1 to 1.5 metres tall and wide with light clipping. Full sun to part shade suits them, in any free draining soil. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. They handle coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells once the roots are down.
Repeat them along a driveway, either side of an entry, or in pots on a terrace where a formal shape is wanted straight away. They read as structure in a planting scheme without the height of a hedge, and because the form is already trained, a new garden looks settled from the day it goes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Star Jasmine Balls
What are Star Jasmine Balls?
They are Trachelospermum jasminoides, the common Star Jasmine, grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere on a woody framework. Instead of climbing, the plant is trained into a self supporting rounded shape. The foliage is small, glossy and dark green, and the plant carries scented white flowers through spring.
How big do Star Jasmine Balls grow?
They hold at roughly 1 to 1.5 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so a light clip once or twice a year keeps the ball tight at whatever size within that range suits the setting.
Do Star Jasmine Balls need sun or shade?
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest foliage and the heaviest flowering, while part shade produces slightly softer, more open growth and fewer flowers. Avoid deep shade, where the ball thins out and loses its outline. Morning sun with afternoon protection suits hot inland gardens.
Can Star Jasmine Balls be grown in pots?
Yes, and pots are one of the main uses. A container 50 to 60 centimetres wide with a quality free draining mix will hold a ball for years. Water more often than you would in the ground, especially in summer, and feed in spring and again in late summer. Refresh the mix every few years.
Are Star Jasmine Balls evergreen?
Yes, the foliage is held year round. The glossy dark green leaves take on a bronze tinge in cold weather and green up again in spring, but the plant never goes bare. That is what makes it useful as permanent structure in a scheme, particularly in winter once perennials have died back.
When do Star Jasmine Balls flower?
Flowering runs through spring, roughly September to November, and often carries into early summer in warmer districts. The white pinwheel flowers are small but produced in quantity, and the scent is strong on still evenings. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun that were not clipped hard just before bud set.
How do I prune and care for Star Jasmine Balls?
Clip lightly with hedging shears once after flowering and again in late summer if needed, taking only the new growth to keep the outline crisp. Water deeply in dry weather, mulch the base, and feed in early spring. The sap is milky and can irritate skin, so wear gloves when trimming.
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa, Coastal Rosemary, is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It builds a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not the culinary herb.
Mature plants sit at 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and they clip smaller without complaint. Full sun to part shade and sharp drainage are the requirements. Salt wind, sandy soil, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled.
It is a standard on coastal projects, road verges, council garden beds and exposed banks that need erosion cover. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen, or 80 centimetres for a clipped hedge. A single plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot on a courtyard or balcony.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Coastal Rosemary
What is Coastal Rosemary?
Westringia fruticosa is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It forms a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not culinary rosemary and is not used in cooking.
How big does Coastal Rosemary grow?
Mature plants reach 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide. It clips readily to smaller dimensions and is often maintained at around a metre as a hedge or a low mound. Growth is moderate, roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it holds a trimmed shape well.
Is Coastal Rosemary suitable for coastal positions?
It is one of the best shrubs available for exposed coastal work. It grows naturally on sea cliffs and copes with salt laden wind, sand and reflected heat. It is used constantly on beachfront reserves, dune stabilisation projects and seaside gardens where little else holds a tidy shape.
When does Coastal Rosemary flower?
The main flush is spring and summer, roughly September through February, with scattered flowering at other times of the year in mild districts. The flowers are small, white to pale lilac and sit among the foliage rather than above it. Clipped hedges flower less than plants left to grow informally.
How far apart should I plant Coastal Rosemary for a hedge?
Space plants 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen. On banks and batters used for erosion cover, 1 metre in a staggered grid gives full ground coverage within about two growing seasons.
Can Coastal Rosemary grow in pots?
Yes. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single plant for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a free draining mix, because the roots will not tolerate sitting wet. Container plants need watering more often than those in the ground, plus a light trim to hold their shape.
How do I prune and care for Coastal Rosemary?
Trim lightly two or three times a year, taking the soft new growth and avoiding cuts into bare old wood, which reshoots poorly. Water through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. On most soils it needs no feeding at all, and it resents heavy watering and poor drainage.
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame that holds its shape through the year.
Expect 1.5 to 2 metres in height and width at maturity, at 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Full sun brings the heaviest flowering, though part shade is accepted. Drainage matters above everything else, after which it takes salt wind, sandy or gravelly ground, drought and light to moderate frost.
Mass plantings on batters, median strips and coastal frontages are where it earns its keep, and it clips into a low hedge of about a metre without losing its flowering. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen. One plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot neatly.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
What is Westringia Wynyabbie Blue?
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame. It is evergreen and holds its structure all year.
How big does Wynyabbie Blue grow?
It reaches 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide at maturity, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It clips comfortably to around a metre if you want a lower hedge, and it will hold that height indefinitely given two or three light trims a year.
When does Wynyabbie Blue flower?
From spring right through autumn, roughly September to May, with sporadic flowers in winter in mild districts. The lilac blue flowers open in flushes rather than all at once, so there is usually some colour on the plant. Flowering is heaviest in full sun on lean, well drained soil.
Is Wynyabbie Blue drought tolerant?
Yes. Once the roots are established it needs very little water and copes with extended dry periods, which is why it is used on unirrigated median strips and road verges. Drainage matters more than watering, since the plant will die in soggy ground long before it dies of thirst.
Is Wynyabbie Blue suitable for coastal positions?
It is. Salt laden wind, sandy soils and reflected heat are all handled, and it is planted routinely on foreshore reserves and beachside gardens. In very exposed frontal positions the plant stays lower and denser than it would inland, which generally suits the situation anyway.
How far apart should I plant Wynyabbie Blue for a hedge?
Use 80 centimetres between plants for a clipped formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres for a dense informal screen. For mass planting on banks and median strips, 1 metre in a staggered pattern gives full coverage within about two growing seasons and shades out most weeds.
How do I prune and care for Wynyabbie Blue?
Trim lightly after each flowering flush, taking soft growth only. Cutting back into bare old wood leaves gaps that will not fill in, so stay on top of it rather than letting it get away. Water through the first summer, then rarely. Avoid rich soils and heavy fertiliser.
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
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