Caesalpinia Species, Desert Bird of Paradise, Yellow Bird of Paradise

Caesalpiniagilliesii

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Caesalpinia (ses-al-PIN-ee-uh)
Species
gilliesii (gil-EEZ-ee-eye)
Synonym
Caesalpinia macrantha
Erythrostemon gilliesii
Poinciana gilliesii
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
This plant is resistant to deer
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Red
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Blooms repeatedly
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Chartreuse/Yellow
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Robertsdale, Alabama

Bisbee, Arizona

Bowie, Arizona

Chandler, Arizona

Chino Valley, Arizona

Chuichu, Arizona

Goodyear, Arizona

Maricopa, Arizona

Mesa, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Rimrock, Arizona

Scottsdale, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Barstow, California

Bonsall, California

China Lake Acres, California

Davis, California

Desert Hot Springs, California

Fairfield, California

Fontana, California

Fresno, California

Hesperia, California

Lompoc, California

Lucerne Valley, California(2 reports)

Menifee, California

Morongo Valley, California

Mountain View Acres, California

Northridge, California

Redding, California

Reseda, California

Ridgecrest, California

Sacramento, California

San Leandro, California

Temecula, California

Thousand Oaks, California

Twentynine Palms Base, California

Denver, Colorado

Englewood, Colorado

Bradley, Florida

Brooksville, Florida

Cape Coral, Florida

Lake City, Florida

Umatilla, Florida

Kurtistown, Hawaii

Shawnee Mission, Kansas

Bishopville, Maryland

Henderson, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada(2 reports)

North Las Vegas, Nevada

Pahrump, Nevada

Reno, Nevada

Alamogordo, New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico(4 reports)

Elephant Butte, New Mexico

La Luz, New Mexico

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Newkirk, New Mexico

Portales, New Mexico

Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Roswell, New Mexico

Henderson, North Carolina

Kure Beach, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina(2 reports)

Edmond, Oklahoma

Enid, Oklahoma(2 reports)

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma(2 reports)

Stilwell, Oklahoma

Weatherford, Oklahoma

Ashland, Oregon

Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes

Florence, South Carolina

North Augusta, South Carolina

Okatie, South Carolina

Adkins, Texas

Alpine, Texas

Andrews, Texas

Arlington, Texas

Austin, Texas

Belton, Texas

Bertram, Texas

Boerne, Texas

Burnet, Texas

Canyon, Texas

Copperas Cove, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Dripping Springs, Texas

El Paso, Texas

Fate, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas(2 reports)

Garland, Texas

Henderson, Texas

Iredell, Texas

Katy, Texas

Kerrville, Texas

Kurten, Texas

Kyle, Texas

La Porte, Texas

La Vernia, Texas

League City, Texas

Leander, Texas

Midland, Texas

Mission, Texas

Missouri City, Texas

Murchison, Texas

San Angelo, Texas

San Antonio, Texas(3 reports)

San Saba, Texas

Santa Fe, Texas

Santo, Texas

Spring, Texas

Stephenville, Texas

Temple, Texas

Tyler, Texas

Weatherford, Texas

Hurricane, Utah

Ivins, Utah

La Verkin, Utah

Magna, Utah

Moab, Utah

Orem, Utah

Saint George, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah(2 reports)

Springdale, Utah

Springville, Utah

Washington, Utah

Auburn, Washington

Vashon, Washington

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

39
positives
8
neutrals
2
negatives
Sort By:
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O
Enid, OK (Zone 7a) | October 2021 | positive

Even though the zones show this plant to be 8a - 11, it survived in Enid, Oklahoma last winter when we reached a rare minus 13 degrees.

2
Menifee, CA (Zone 9a) | March 2021 | positive

I truly enjoy the flowers, as well as the Hummingbirds & Hooded Orioles that they attract & feed!

In my area there is, h...Read More

B
Yonkers, NY | May 2020 | positive

This shrub is growing in heavy clay soil between two enormous stands of black bananas,seems to love the conditions. NC z7b

C
Englewood, CO | April 2018 | positive

I am a volunteer at the Denver Botanic Gardens. There is a large caesalpinia gilliesii at the entrance to one of the restaurants. It do...Read More

C
Lawrence, KS | September 2017 | positive

Several very well established plants exist at the Denver Botanical Gardens. Zone6a/5b. Looks like they are cut back each year. (several o...Read More

S
Stilwell, OK (Zone 7a) | January 2017 | positive

Much more cold hardy than listed here. I had small seedlings survive exposed with no mulch and they have the 1-foot trunks intact after 2F degrees.

N
Rimrock, AZ | August 2015 | negative

I live in the Montezuma/Rimrock, Arizona area and often see this plant in nearby Cottonwood. It spreads on it's own and although beautifu...Read More

W
| June 2015 | positive

I live in Spain (Costa Blanca) and had a few of these on my land and ended up pulling seedlings just about EVERYWHERE! Didn't know the n...Read More

G
Twentynine Palms Base, CA | May 2014 | positive

I have two beautiful Desert Bird of Paradise in my front yard. Evidently, my neighbors Desert Bird of Paradise is the source.

...Read More

G
Ashland, OR | June 2013 | positive

I finally identified this plant growing at Railroad Park, in Ashland, OR I would like to find a nursery that carries it, perhaps by mailo...Read More

I
PORTER RANCH, CA | May 2013 | positive

I love my Desert (Mexican) Bird of Paradise. My only problem growing it is that I must check the plant everyday for worms that eat the bu...Read More

U
Salt Lake City, UT (Zone 7b) | May 2013 | positive

I live in Orem, Utah (zone 7a) and this plant has survived 6 winters here without any sort of damage and it’s even in partial shade/mos...Read More

M
Washington, UT | April 2013 | neutral

The plant has grown well for us--about 5 feet in a year--and we love the beautiful blossoms. However, we have a green worm or caterpilla...Read More

C
Cotati, CA | September 2012 | neutral

hello, I have been growing this plant for over four years. One in the ground, two in pots, great height, beauitful leaves but never once ...Read More

H
H
| September 2012 | positive

As reported below, this one is reliable in zone 7a, even in 6b. Some winter dieback is easily restored during the growing season.

P
Leander, TX | August 2012 | neutral

I'm ready to rip one of these out of the garden. I always prune it when something appears dead - like a branch that had flowers then seed...Read More

B
Ridgecrest, CA | July 2012 | positive

It's a beautiful plant! The only place I have any problems with it being invasive is in one area that I water once a week in the summer t...Read More

L
Austin, TX (Zone 8b) | October 2011 | positive

I grew this plant from seed a few years ago. It is fast-growing to about 10 feet and blooms from late April thru November. Very easy to ...Read More

G
Lake City, FL | October 2010 | positive

Growing a Paradise bird plant is quit simple. Just choose the type of species you want to grow. Select the Site, soil first. Be careful a...Read More

C
Vashon, WA (Zone 8a) | August 2010 | positive

grew this from seed this year. Did much better than its cousin caesalpinia pulcherrima. No flowers this year, though. I'm hoping it wi...Read More

C
Pahrump, NV | July 2010 | positive

A wonderful addition!
We noticed these plants growing wild all over our desert area, and fell in love with them.
We collect...Read More

O
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | April 2010 | positive

I bought this legume from a local nursery 3 years ago. It was grown by Monrovia, who rated it hardy only to zone 8. As I have known thi...Read More

G
Fresno, CA | August 2009 | neutral

This plant is extremely drought tolerant. There is an abandoned house in Chowchilla that is completely overgrown with these shrubs. It lo...Read More

J
Rio Rancho, NM | May 2009 | positive

I planted one of these last year in a spot which was so hot, dry and sunny that the last thing I tried there shriveled to nothing in a we...Read More

K
(Zone 6b) | May 2009 | positive

This exotic invader is a native of Argentina, but has become naturalized in the Desert SW of the US now. It's NOT native to the USA and n...Read More

R
Canyon, TX | September 2008 | positive

My mother called the Spanish Rose. I have several, have always liked them. Also I try to keep only drouth tolerant plants. I live near...Read More

U
Las Vegas, NV | August 2008 | positive

This plant, the Desert Bird of Paradise is a gem of a plant. Here's why . . . First, if you love reoccuring blooming plants then you'll l...Read More

X
X
Xaa
Portales, NM | June 2007 | positive

Very lovely, has a delicate, pleasing scent to the flowers, and is very easy to grow. Usually starts flowering on the second or third ye...Read More

C
Reno, NV (Zone 6a) | June 2007 | neutral

a local nursery sells this tree/shrub iv seen pictures of it but in person the flowers were not that attractive but is very airy and grac...Read More

C
Alamogordo, NM (Zone 7b) | May 2007 | positive

These grow native in New Mexico. In fact we always called them New Mexico Bird of Paradise. As a child I thought that was not only beca...Read More

E
Lucerne Valley, CA (Zone 9a) | July 2006 | positive

Grows great out in the desert (Lucerne Valley, CA). With abundant watering - every other day - I get blooms like crazy, and they are just...Read More

A
Morongo Valley, CA | May 2006 | negative

I live in the high desert and have seen it growing here and in Palm Springs. I had 4 large bushes, but the seedlings pop up like crazy. P...Read More

C
Enid, OK (Zone 6b) | February 2006 | positive

I have found this plant growing in NorthCentral & Northwest Central Oklahoma. One friend of mine has had hers 30 years growing on a clay...Read More

E
Garland, TX | July 2005 | positive

When I purchased 2 of these plants last year I was very unimpressed, however this year they have had a chance to become acclimated to the...Read More

A
A
| July 2005 | neutral

This plant is a naturalized plant in New Mexico. In my area it is somewhat agressive. My neighbor planted two and now there are more than...Read More

J
Newkirk, NM | March 2005 | positive

There are a couple of these plants left on our ranch in an area that does not get ANY supplemental watering, and they are very healthy. O...Read More

B
Tucson, AZ | June 2004 | positive

I am growing this tree in my yard in Oro Valley, AZ (north of Tucson) and it's doing very well. It is blooming at fairly regular interva...Read More

P
Oklahoma City, OK | June 2004 | positive

Survives nicely in Zone 7 with only minimal dieback in winter. Repeat bloomer throughout summer!

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | April 2004 | positive

The Desert Bird of Paradise is a Nturalized Texas Native. One of the most beautiful when in bloom.
The flowers are amazing and las...Read More

D
D
Albuquerque, NM | March 2004 | positive

The Desert Bird of Paradise is one of my all-time favorite xeri plants -- I've even transplanted them in my garden and when one went into...Read More

A
Casa Grande, AZ | September 2003 | positive

I planted two Caesalpinia gilliesii about 4 months ago; they are now 6 feet tall and take the Arizona (U.S.) heat really well....Read More

P
Victorville, CA | August 2003 | positive

These are the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow! All types attract hummingbirds, bees, wasps and white flies and their eggs.
...Read More

J
| July 2003 | neutral

We live in northern california, where we have seen only four Desert Bird of Paradise plants growing; we're very glad to find this site wi...Read More

B
B
Corpus Christi, TX (Zone 10a) | July 2003 | positive

The first "Texas Bird of Paradise" that I remember was about 60 years ago by the milking barn where the only water it got was rain. I lo...Read More

S
S
Boerne, TX | July 2003 | positive

I purchased this plant as a Honey Mesquite last fall but when it bloomed turned out to be a Desert Bird of Paradise.

The p...Read More

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | July 2003 | positive

This is a nice specimen plant for full sun- it can be used in xeriscape gardens, but prefers to be watered and flowers better if watered....Read More

G
San Angelo, TX | September 2002 | positive

I have this plant through out my yard. Some are trained to grow into trees and others are mixed with Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Dwar...Read More

U
U
Manhattan Beach, CA (Zone 11) | June 2002 | positive

Has a pleasant aroma when blooming.

M
High Desert, CA (Zone 8a) | October 2001 | neutral

The Desert Bird of Paradise is more of a bush rather than a tree due to its slow growth. The plant is a native to South America.
...Read More

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