Retama
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Also known as Retama, Paloverde, Mexican Paloverde, Jerusalem Thorn, Horsebean, Lluvia De Oro.
The Paloverde is a spiny shrub or small tree that can grow as high as 30 feet but is usually half that height. It has long, graceful branches bearing many long, delicate leaves and sprays of yellow flowers. Almost equal in size, the five yellow petals of the flower, measuring 1/3-2/3 inches long, are virtually identical, but one has a honey gland at the base. This petal remains on the stalk longer than the others. A profusion of blossoms can be found on the Paloverde during the warm months, especially after rains. Typically, the seedpods are approximately 3 to 5 inches long, narrow, and constrictive between the seeds. It is an unusual type of leaf. The leaf stem produces two stalks that are 15-18 inches long and almost parallel. Each branch has 10-25 pairs of leaflets. It is common for leaflets to fall off during the summer, and the stems will continue to serve as leaves.
This is a fast-growing, graceful-looking tree native to central Texas, southward to northern South America, and west to Arizona. It has unusual green bark and a long bloom season. In addition to being drought- and heat-resistant, it is also saline-tolerant. Despite its beauty, this thorny tree does best in spots that are neither wet nor dry. With too much moisture, it will seed out aggressively. It will lose all its leaves if there is not enough moisture. However, drought leaf loss is not necessarily an aesthetic problem because chlorophyll production shifts to the trunk and branches, rendering them an even brighter green. The word "Jerusalem" in the common name Jerusalem Thorn does not refer to the Middle Eastern city. Still, it is a corruption of the Spanish and Portuguese word girasol, meaning "turning toward the sun." This tree requires full sun.
Height: 15-20'
Spread: 20’-25'
Bloom: April-August
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low to Medium
Zone: 8, 9, 10, 11
Origin: Texas
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.
