Alphabetical Plant Listing

Caesalpinia gilliesii (Bird of Paradise Shrub)

Poinciana, Bird of Paradise Bush, Desert Bird of Paradise, Yellow Bird of Paradise, Poinciana gilliesii, Bird of Paradise Shrub, Yellow Bird of Paradise Shrub, Desert Bird of Paradise Shrub


Fast-growing and tough, Caesalpinia gilliesii (Bird of Paradise Shrub) is a vase-shaped evergreen shrub or small tree boasting flamboyant clusters of yellow flowers in summer. Borne at the branch tips, the five-petaled blossoms, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), feature long, protruding red stamens that create an exotic look. Attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, they give way to flat seed pods, up to 2 in. long (5 cm), containing dark brown to black seeds. These pods dry and split open, releasing the dark brown seeds, sometimes explosively. The foliage of lacy, feathery gray-green leaves is evergreen in frost-free climates. Bird of Paradise Shrub is a fine choice for xeriscaping and makes a wonderful large accent shrub or flowering hedge.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 7-10 ft. tall and wide (2-3 m). This plant self-sows mildly.
  • Performs best in full sun in moist, well-drained soils. Established plants have good drought tolerance.
  • A charming addition to beds and borders, wall-side borders, hedges, city gardens, Mediterranean gardens, or containers.
  • Prune to shape as needed.
  • Virtually pest and disease free. Deer resistant.
  • Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings.
  • Native to Argentina, Uruguay.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats.

Not sure which Caesalpinia to pick?
Compare All Caesalpinia

Buy Caesalpinia gilliesii (Bird of Paradise Shrub)

Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 11
Heat Zones 1 – 11
Climate Zones 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Caesalpinia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 7' – 10' (210cm – 3m)
Spread 7' – 10' (210cm – 3m)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden

Buy Plants

Guides with Caesalpinia


Belikart, Velmafia, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 11
Heat Zones 1 – 11
Climate Zones 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Caesalpinia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 7' – 10' (210cm – 3m)
Spread 7' – 10' (210cm – 3m)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden

Guides with Caesalpinia

Plant Calculator

How many Caesalpinia gilliesii (Bird of Paradise Shrub) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Caesalpinia gilliesii (Bird of Paradise Shrub)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.