Desert Bird of Paradise
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Caesalpinia gillesii
The Caesalpinia gilliesii, often lovingly referred to as the bird-of-paradise, is an enchanting evergreen shrub or small tree that belongs to the pea family. This charming plant usually reaches heights of 10-15 feet and hails from the subtropical areas of Argentina and Uruguay. With its stunning yellow flowers adorned with bright red stamens, which bloom gracefully in summer against a backdrop of fern-like green leaves, it’s sure to brighten any garden.
Having made its way to the southwestern U.S. several years ago, it has spread from California and Nevada all the way to Oklahoma, Texas, and Georgia. It’s important to note that the Caesalpinia gilliesii is different from the South African Strelitzia reginae, which also shares the bird-of-paradise name.
This lovely plant is winter hardy in USDA Zones 8-11 and can withstand temperatures as low as 30 degrees F. It thrives in medium moisture, moderately fertile, well-drained soils under full sun but is also quite content in light shade. Once established, these resilient plants are drought-tolerant and just require occasional pruning to keep them looking their best. For those eager to grow their own, propagation is commonly 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
Spring Shipping:
Orders are shipped within 7-10 business days. We will email you if there are expected delays.
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.
