Tree
Blue Palo Verde
Parkinsonia florida
Green-barked desert tree that erupts in yellow bloom each spring. The Sonoran signature.
- Pollinator
- Native
- Fast-growing
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 8–11
- Water
- Very low once established
- Sun
- Full sun
- Size
- 20–30 ft tall × 20–30 ft wide
- Bloom & interest
- Blankets of bright yellow flowers in spring; blue-green bark year-round
- Plant type
- Tree
- Native range
- Native to the Sonoran Desert (AZ, CA)
Why we recommend it
The native Sonoran shade tree for low-desert yards: photosynthetic blue-green bark, a spectacular spring bloom, and survival on rainfall once established.
Best regions: SouthwestSouthern California
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Deep-water every 1–2 weeks the first summer, then taper to monthly; established trees need little or none.
Pruning
Prune lightly in late spring or summer (after bloom) to raise the canopy; remove low thorny shoots.
Soil
Well-drained desert soil. Overwatering causes weak, fast growth and wind breakage.
Pairs well with
.jpg){kind=link}
Read more
Where to buy
Shop Blue Palo Verde from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Xeriscaping.com may earn a commission at no cost to you. We only list plants we'd actually plant. Affiliate disclosure