Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Yellow Bird of Paradise
Yellow Bird of Paradise is the golden-yellow form of the red bird of paradise, with the same fern-like leaves and big summer flower clusters. It blooms from late spring into fall in full sun and the reflected heat off walls and paving. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees visit the flowers. It grows back fast each spring and fills a hot bed by summer.
Best for: summer color in hot, sunny beds, a yellow partner for red bird of paradise, and hummingbird and butterfly gardens.
It takes full sun and the reflected heat off walls and paving. Planted along a bare wall, it covers the space with yellow from late spring into fall.
It is the same plant as red bird of paradise, only golden yellow. The two grow at the same pace and take the same care, so they mix well in one bed.
Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees visit the flower clusters all summer. Deep water about every week in the warm season keeps the flowers coming.
The top dies back at freezing, so it is bare sticks until spring. The stems carry small prickles. The seeds are poisonous, so keep pods away from kids and pets.
- Closer planting4 ft apart, center to center
- Wider planting6 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.
For the most flowers, give a deep soak about every week in the warm season. In winter, about monthly is enough.
Cut it back to under a foot in late winter, before new growth. It regrows fast and blooms on the new stems. Wear gloves for the prickles.
The top dies back when it freezes, and the roots regrow it in spring. Leave the dead stems until late winter, then cut them back.
It is in the pea family and grows fine without any feeding, so you can skip fertilizer.
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.
Is Yellow Bird of Paradise the same as Red Bird of Paradise?
It is the same plant, a golden-yellow form sold as Phoenix Bird. Size, care and the winter cutback are the same as the red one.
Is it the same as Desert Bird of Paradise?
No. Desert Bird of Paradise is a different plant with yellow flowers and long red stamens. This one has solid golden-yellow flowers.
How big does it get?
It grows about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide in a single season. Plant it 4 to 6 feet apart for a bed or row.
When does it bloom?
It blooms from late spring into fall. Flowers come on new growth, so water well in the warm months to keep them coming.
Why does it look dead in winter?
The top dies back when it freezes. The roots survive and it regrows fast in spring. Cut it back to under a foot in late winter.
How often should I water it?
Give it a deep soak about once a week in the warm season for the best flowers. Once it is rooted, about once a month is enough in winter.
Can it take reflected heat?
Yes. It thrives in full sun and reflected heat off walls and paving. In shade it gets leggy and flowers less.
Does it have thorns?
The stems carry small, sharp prickles. Wear gloves and long sleeves when you cut it back.
Is it poisonous?
Yes. The seeds and pods are poisonous, and it is listed as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Snip off pods and keep it away from play areas.
Does it need fertilizer?
No. Like the red one, it grows fine without feeding, so skip the fertilizer.
Does it attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Hummingbirds and butterflies visit the flowers from late spring into fall.
Yellow Bird of Paradise for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Yellow Bird of Paradise is a golden-yellow selection of red bird of paradise, sold as Phoenix Bird. Care is the same as the red one. This page covers size, spacing, summer water, the late winter cutback and how it differs from Desert and Mexican bird of paradise.
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.
What is Yellow Bird of Paradise?
It is the golden-yellow form of red bird of paradise, sold as Phoenix Bird. The leaves, size and care match the red one. Only the flower color differs.
How far apart do you plant Yellow Bird of Paradise?
Plant it about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center, for a bed or row. Each plant spreads 6 to 8 feet in a season. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for you.
When do you cut back Yellow Bird of Paradise?
Cut it back in late winter, before new growth starts. Take it down to under a foot, and it regrows fast and flowers on the new stems.
How often do you water Yellow Bird of Paradise in summer?
A deep soak about once a week in the warm season gives the most flowers. In winter, about once a month is enough.
Yellow vs Desert vs Mexican Bird of Paradise
Yellow is the golden form of red bird of paradise and freezes back in winter. Desert has yellow flowers with long red stamens. Mexican has lemon-yellow spikes and stays green in mild winters.
Is Yellow Bird of Paradise toxic to pets?
Yes. The seeds and pods are poisonous, and it is listed as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Remove pods and plant it away from 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.