Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Desert Bird of Paradise
Desert Bird of Paradise is a fast, airy shrub covered in clusters of yellow flowers with long red stamens from spring through summer. Hummingbirds and butterflies work the flowers. It takes full sun, heat and drought, and handles cold better than the red kind. Once rooted it gets by on about a monthly soak.
Best for: a quick-growing accent in hot, sunny beds, hummingbird and butterfly gardens, and an informal shrub along a wall or border.
It grows fast into an upright, open shrub 6 to 10 feet tall. From spring through summer, the yellow flowers and long red stamens stand out against the fine leaves.
It takes full sun and reflected heat, plus drought once rooted. A sunny bed near a wall or driveway suits it, as long as the soil drains.
Hummingbirds and butterflies visit the flowers through the warm months. Bees come to them as well.
It drops its leaves in winter and can look scraggly and open. Pods split and throw seeds, so volunteers pop up. All parts are toxic, and the seeds are poisonous to people and pets.
- Closer planting8 ft apart, center to center
- Wider planting12 ft apart, center to center
Water every 3 to 4 days for the first two weeks. Then stretch the gaps step by step, to about every 10 to 14 days by the second month.
It is drought tolerant once rooted. A deep soak about once a month keeps it looking its best.
Prune lightly to make the open shape denser. After bloom, cut off the flower stalks before the pods ripen and split.
You can skip fertilizer, since it is in the pea family and needs no feeding.
Drops its leaves in winter and leafs out again in spring.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What does Desert Bird of Paradise look like?
It is an upright, open shrub with fine, feathery leaves. Clusters of yellow flowers with long red stamens open from spring through summer.
How big does it get?
It usually grows 6 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide, and it grows fast. Plant it 8 to 12 feet apart so each one has room.
Is it the same as Yellow Bird of Paradise?
Some people call it yellow bird of paradise. Our Yellow Bird of Paradise is a different plant, a solid yellow form of the red bird of paradise. This one has yellow flowers with long red stamens.
Does it have thorns?
No. The stems have no thorns or prickles. That sets it apart from red bird of paradise, which has small, sharp prickles on its stems.
How much water does it need?
Little once it is rooted. It handles drought, but a deep soak about once a month keeps it looking its best. Water new plants every few days at first, then stretch it out.
Does it lose its leaves in winter?
Yes. It drops its leaves in winter and leafs out again in spring. It is not the plant for a spot that must stay green all year.
How cold hardy is it?
It is hardier than the red bird of paradise and is rated to about 5°F. The stems can freeze back near 20°F, and the roots come back after much colder nights.
How do I prune it?
Its natural shape is open and irregular, and light pruning makes it denser. After bloom, cut off the flower stalks to stop pods and seedlings.
Is it poisonous to pets?
Yes. All parts are toxic, and the seeds are the main worry. It is listed as toxic to dogs and cats. Remove seed pods and keep it away from dog runs and play areas.
Why are seedlings coming up around it?
The pods split and throw seeds a surprising distance. It has even spread into desert washes. Cut off spent flower stalks before pods ripen, and pull seedlings while small.
Does it need fertilizer?
No. It is in the pea family and grows well without feeding.
How is it different from red and Mexican bird of paradise?
Red has red and orange flowers and freezes back each winter. Mexican has solid yellow flower spikes and stays green in mild winters. This one has yellow flowers with long red stamens.
Desert Bird of Paradise for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Desert Bird of Paradise is the yellow-flowered bird of paradise with long red stamens, grown across the Valley for fast summer color. This page covers size, spacing, water, winter, pruning and how it differs from the red, Phoenix yellow and Mexican kinds.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Desert Bird of Paradise in Arizona
It comes from Argentina and Uruguay and has spread into Arizona washes. Gardeners plant it for fast growth and yellow flowers with long red stamens. It takes cold, heat and drought.
How big does Desert Bird of Paradise get?
Plan on 6 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide. It grows fast into an upright, open shrub, and light pruning keeps it fuller.
How far apart do you plant Desert Bird of Paradise?
Plant them about 8 to 12 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab counts plants for your bed.
How often do you water Desert Bird of Paradise?
Water new plants every few days, then stretch it to every 10 to 14 days by the second month. Once rooted, a deep soak about monthly keeps it looking best.
Is Desert Bird of Paradise cold hardy?
Yes, more than red bird of paradise. Stems take about 20°F and roots come back after much colder nights. It drops its leaves in winter.
Desert vs Red vs Mexican Bird of Paradise
Desert has yellow flowers with long red stamens. Red has red and orange flowers and freezes back in winter. Mexican has solid yellow spikes and stays green in mild winters.
Is Desert Bird of Paradise toxic?
Yes. All parts are toxic, and the seeds are poisonous to people and pets. Cut off seed pods and keep it away from dog runs and play areas.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.