Red Bird of Paradise

Botanical Name: Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Common Name: Red Bird of Paradise

This sub-tropical shrub is used extensively in low-elevation zones for its extravagant, showy flowers and its incredible heat tolerance. Red Bird of Paradise is a rounded, open shrub with light green, feathery, compound leaves. The inch-wide flowers have slightly ruffled petals that are a deep orange color with varying amounts of yellow. Some forms of Caesalpinia pulcherrima have pure yellow flowers. Although this shrub loses most of its leaves in the winter, it recovers quickly.

Plant red bird of paradise shrub in full sunlight after all danger of frost is past. This shrub tolerates any well-drained soil including rocky, native soils. It does not do well in heavy clay soils. Apply slow-release or organic fertilizer annually in spring. Water established red bird of paradise shrubs every four to seven days in the summer. Water once a month in the winter, or rely on natural rainfall.

Native to: Mexico,West Indies
Hardiness: 30°F
Sun: full sun
Water: moderate
Growth Rate: fast
Mature Form: rounded, open
Evergreen or Deciduous? deciduous
Foliage Color: dark green
Foliage Texture: fine
Mature Size: 6' height X 6' width
Flower Color: Orange and yellow
Flower Season: late spring to fall
Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds, butterflies
Other Features: Showy summer color. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Litter: low
Thorns: very small prickly stems

Mexican Bird of Paradise

Botanical Name: Caesalpinia mexicana
Common Name: Mexican Bird of Paradise
Mexican Bird of Paradise is native to Northern Mexico. Its lush, ferny compound leaves provide a dark green backdrop for the bright yellow flower spikes that appear on the branch tips during the warm season. These flowers are followed by woody pods, which "explode" as they mature, adding a little bit of natural music the outdoor environment. This plant grows fairly rapidly 10-15 feet tall and spreads to 15 feet wide. The Mexican bird of paradise can be grown as a small tree or pruned to keep it a shrub.

Plant Mexican bird of paradise in the fall in full sunlight exposures for best establishment. This large shrub is evergreen in mild climates, but where frost occurs, it will shed foliage. Although extremely tolerant of sun and reflected heat, it requires good drainage to thrive. Established Mexican bird of paradise plants require little water. Mature plants may reach a height of 15 feet tall. Regular pruning will help control size.

Native to: Mexico
Hardiness: 15°F
Sun: full sun
Water: moderate
Growth Rate: moderate-fast
Mature Form: upright, open
Evergreen or Deciduous? evergreen
Foliage Color: dark green
Foliage Texture: fine
Mature Size: 10' height X 8' width
Flower Color: Yellow spikes
Flower Season: spring to fall

Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Other Features: Can be grown as a small tree. Attracts hummingbirds.

Litter: moderate
Thorns: none
Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico
Other Features: Can be grown as a small tree. Attracts hummingbirds.

Cascalote Tree - Arizona Xericsape Tree

Cascalote
Caesalpinia cacalaco, Synonym: Russellodendron cacalaco, Coulteria mexicana, Poinciana horrida
Family: Fabaceae. Great Xeriscape plant.

This tree produces large spikes of light yellow flowers in most of winter and attractive copper-colored pods. It is native to Mexico and does very well in the Arizona desert. The Cascalote will make a nice patio tree. It is slow growing and only reaches at most 20 feet tall. It can be pruned to shape and thin. It will suffer some frost bite if temperatures go below 20 degrees. This tree does best in full sun with well drained soil. Looks very much like the Mexican Bird of Paradise but larger.

USDA: 9-10
Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 20°F (-7°C)
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Origin: Southern Mexico
Growth Habits: Evergreen tree, growing slowly to 20 feet tall, 20 feet wide (6 x 6 m)
Watering Needs: Little to moderate water
Propagation: Seeds
Thorns: Has thorns but there are thornless types

Building Raised Planter Beds/Gardens

Raised planters are a great solution to any garden. They add dimension to the landscape, solve soil problems, they are higher up so people who have trouble getting down can work in them easier, and the soil does not compact like sregular gardens because it is fresh and much easier to work.

The depth of the raised bed can be anywhere from 8" high on up. Typically, if your soil is hard and compact then you will want a deeper bed so you can control the soil and have a nice workable garden that drains well.

Start with your four posts, panels. These can be boards or garden poles or blocks. Make sure the wood is not treated wood to prevent any chemicals from seeping into your vegetables if it is a vegetable garden. The length is up to you also. You can stack several of the garden poles on the flat edge for a higher bed. If you are using blocks, then stack them as high as you want, typically 2-4 courses. You can also use 4 x 6 and only use one board per side. Nail or screw the lumber into corner posts posts to form the corners of the frame. These are square corner posts that are cut to the height of the bed. Use galvanized nails or screws. Nails are easier and faster, while screws are stronger and more durable.

Dig a small trench 1 to 2" deep where the boards will be places. Position the frame in the trench. Level it by either adding soil or digging a deeper trench.

You can build this right on top of your turf unless it is Bermuda grass or contains weeds. They will break down with the soil. Bermuda Grass needs to be completely removed or pick another area. You will spend all your time removing the Bermuda grass from the bed. Fill the bed high-quality topsoil or other amendments and then rake smooth. I prefer the Miracle Gro moisture soil or the Scott's moisture retaining soil for here in Arizona. They hold in the water and distribute it to the plants roots as they dry out. You will loose less water to evaporation and run-off and save you money in your water bill.

The next step is to install a watering system. Soaker hoses work perfect as they distribute water evenly throughout the container. You can install the soaker hose to your existing plant drip system or purchase a timer that screws into your water faucet outside.

The final step is to add plants. Get creative with plant material and vegetables and have fun. If you want to build your planter with block or are looking for help with your raised planting bed, contact Arizona Living Landscape & Design for help. 480-390-4477 www.LandscapeArizona.com

Pest Control Tidbits - Aphids

Pest Control - Aphids

How do I get rid of those pesky aphids on my trees and flowers? The organic way is to spray with a hard streams of water; add 2 oz. molasses per gallon for better results. I have also read to use dish detergent in the water. Also release ladybugs and lacewings.

I have tried this but have not had much success. I ended up loosing five hibiscus bushes by trying the natural way. I did not use ladybugs and lacewings though. The alternative that worked for me was to purchase a strong chemical from my local nursery and spray the affected plant. This saved my tree and kept the aphids from spreading to my other plants and trees. I intend to get the ladybugs and lacewings and releasing them to prevent future attacks. In the meantime, my Desert Willow is getting ready to bloom and is aphid free.

Arizona Low Desert Spring Crops Planting Guide

Ever wonder what crops to plant when here in the Arizona desert? Our planting guide is very different from everywhere else in the United States. Fortunately, for us we have 2 or even 3 planting cycles. We haver our spring crop, summer crop, and fall/winter crop. It is April in the Arizona low desert and time to get your vegetable garden going before the real heat hits. Below is a guide of what to plant in April in Arizona.

Beans - Blackeye. These perform well in the full summer heat.
Corn - Flour, Ornamental, Popcorn, and Sweet. These need to be planted in April and again in July/August. The supersweet variety needs very war soil to sprout.
Cucumber - Armenian and Standard. Plant in April and again in AugustThe Armenian withstands the heat better then the standard. The standard must be harvested frequently for best quality.
Eggplant - Plant now for best production in the fall.
Melons - Get these in early April. They need rich soil, lots of water and lots of room. Harvest in late July, Aug., and Sept.
Okra - Pick frequently to maintian production.
Peppers - Start indoors in winter for best harvest in fall.
Squash - summer, winter. Pick the summer variety frequently to maintain production. The longer the winter variety is left on the vine, the sweeter.
Sunflowers - Very drought tolerant.
Watermelon - Needs rich soil, lots of water, and lots of room.

Arizona April Garden To Do

Set out transplants of hot-weather annuals, including vinca, salvia, angelonia, verbena, zinnias, and sunflowers. These are easily grown from seed sewn directly in the garden. Soaker hoses can be weaved around the garden beds now. Put them out in the sun to make them more flexible before laying them in the garden. Soaker hoses are an efficient way to irrigate. You will loose less water to evaporation and they can be covered with mulch so you can't see them. Organic mulch will help conserve moisture in the Arizona hot sun and it will also help suppress weeds.