It is evergreen in warm protected areas of the landscape. The Mexican bird of paradise’s lush, deep foliage sets it apart. Photo: Donna DiFrancescoĬaesalpinia mexicana, Mexican Bird of Paradise It requires good drainage to perform at its best. This variety makes an excellent accent plant, providing a super show of color throughout the summer. The flower clusters are followed by 3 to 6 inch seed pods. Established, untrimmed plants can reach a height of over 6 feet. Foliage turns a nice red color in the cold, so you can also leave stems through the winter and trim in early spring. Once roots are established, cut the stems back to the ground in the winter. This vase shaped shrub thrives in the hottest areas of the landscape, blooming throughout the warm season.
The summer blooms of orange and yellow flower clusters add a vibrant accent to the landscape. The red bird of paradise is not as cold hardy as yellow bird of paradise. Photo: Donna DiFrancescoĬaesalpinia pulcherrima, Red Bird of Paradise They reseed themselves, and can produce litter if seed pods are not pruned off before they fall. Yellow bird of paradise makes an excellent accent plant in either the tropical or desert landscape.
It reaches a height of 6 to 10 feet and a spread of 4 to 6 feet at maturity. Yellow bird of paradise is usually deciduous except in the warmest areas, but seldom looks its best during the winter. The spring to summer bloom is followed by 4 to 5 inch seed pods. It is generally open in form with a slender trunk and medium green leaflets. This bird of paradise produces large clusters of yellow flowers with long red stamens.
Photo: Donna DiFrancescoĬaesalpinia gilliesii, Desert/Yellow Bird of Paradise All of these species do a great job of attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. This pruning will also keep the form more round and compact. The deciduous varieties can be pruned back severely during late winter when they are dormant, and new growth will occur in the spring. Chlorosis can occur in heavy soils but is easily treated with iron chelate.
Provide deep watering every two weeks while blooming in order to prolong flowering and keep plants healthy.īird of paradise is tolerant of most soil conditions but prefers well drained soils. They thrive in the desert heat and can survive on little supplemental irrigation. The shades of yellow, fiery red, and orange contrast with the feathery foliage.Ĭommonly called bird of paradise, they range in size from medium shrubs to small trees. Their large bright flowers provide vibrant color for long periods of time. Caesalpinias make the landscape come alive with color.
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