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Growing a Palo Verde (Photo and design by Jane Gates)
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The Palo Verde is a name given to both the Cercidium and the Parkinsonia. These are desert trees that love hot sun and dry, lean soils. They can take wide temperature ranges and enjoy winter rains. Losing their foliage in the winter, they leaf out with fine-cut leaves that look like billowing green clouds and bloom with big clusters (panicles) of showy yellow flowers, looking a bit like large sprays of orchids.
The Mexican Palo Verde or Cercidium aculeata is frost tolerant to around the low 20'sF and grows well on poor soils with little to medium water needs. The Parkinsonia floridum or Blue Palo Verde is more cold tolerant. If established, it can handle temperatures down to the mid teens. It grows between 25 - 30' tall and likes a little more water than the Foothill Palo Verde. And the Foothill Palo Verde, Cercidium microphyllum is a very slow grower with tiny leaves. This third Palo Verde is likely to reach only 10-12' tall. It is more difficult to find in nurseries and garden centers. It will tolerate temperatures down into the high teens. The flower sports a lighter petal color in the flower than the previous two. All Palo Verdes are considered desert trees and will take hot, dry summers in their stride.
The Palo Verde is a striking tree that makes a perfect small shade tree. Trees and/or branches are colored green and create an unusual color and textural effect to a cactus, succulent, drought-tolerant or artistic garden. The fluffy foliage creates a soft backdrop for any design and the green wood is unique looking during dormancy. Flowers of the Parkinsonia and Cercidium can rival the dramatic shows put on by tropical flowering plants.
Give the Palo Verde excellent drainage and plant it in full sun. It handles strong winds and extreme heat. These are great small trees for a decorative statement in the dry garden.
Comments
I love this little tree! I wasn't familiar with it until a couple of years ago, but it's a really cool one to use in these parts. Underutilized, too. Thanks for the info!
I am so glad you put this on today. We want to get a Palo Verde for the back yard. I have been bugging him all year. But I will have to ask the landscaper down the street where to find one. He has his blue on a hill with some palms and fluffy grasses and I am so jealous.
Even though the Palo Verde isn't suitable for the Dakotas, I enjoyed reading your article.
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