Desert Bird of Paradise
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Caesalpinia gillesii
The Caesalpinia gilliesii, also known as bird-of-paradise, is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the pea family. It typically grows to 10-15 feet tall and is native to Argentina and Uruguay subtropical areas. The plant is known for its attractive yellow flowers with bright red stamens, which bloom in summer on branches with fern-like green leaves.
It was introduced to the southwestern U.S. several years ago and has spread from California and Nevada to Oklahoma, Texas, and Georgia. It should be noted that it differs from the South African Strelitzia reginae, also known as bird-of-paradise.
The Caesalpinia gilliesii is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8-11 and can tolerate temperatures down to 30 degrees F. It can be grown in medium moisture, moderately fertile, well-drained soils in full sun, although it can also tolerate light shade. Established plants are drought-tolerant and should be pruned as needed. Propagation is typically done by seed.
Height: 7’-10’
Spread: 7’-10’
Bloom: July-August
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low
Zone: 8, 9, 10, 11
Origin: Argentina, Uruguay
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
