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GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical
Vigour
:
normal growth
rate
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
high
Salinity/ppm :
very high (5500
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-6°C
SHAPE
Type
:
shrub
Height
:
2 m-3 m
Spread
:
1.5 m-3 m
Foliage
:
semi-evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
yellow, purple
Size
:
2.5 cm - 3.5 cm
Period
:
June - September
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
pod
Fruit size
:
6 cm - 10 cm
Toxicity
:
poisonous
The Yellow Bird-of-Paradise, known in Arabic as bonsiana gillias, is native to South America, but
may sometimes naturalise without becoming invasive. It is a popular shrub for the desert lands-
cape, thriving in heat and drought, although its relative, C. pulcherrima, is more often seen in Ar-
riyadh, because it is more showy. Light frosts to –6°C, as may occur in Arriyadh, do not have any
real impact, since the shrub tends to be leafless in winter and quickly comes back into growth in
the spring. It will withstand poor conditions at the cost of its showy flowers; however, it rewards
better soil and irrigation with rapid growth to about 2 metres in height and width. In summer,
clusters of numerous yellow leguminous pea-flowers feature long protruding red stamens. These
are certainly among the most exotic inflorescences produced by shrubs. Open in form, shrubs
have slender, irregular branches with finely cut deciduous leaves. The brown pods are spotted and
contain poisonous seeds that easily germinate when scarified and germinated. Little pruning is
required to keep an attractive shape, but heavy pruning every few years results in rejuvenation.
Landscape uses include flowering hedges and massed plantings, or as a showy specimen in parks
and pedestrian precincts. During establishment, the soil should be kept moist while established
plants will tolerate drought with occasional deep watering in summer. Slow-release fertilisers may
be applied in spring. Low maintenance: pruning is necessary only to develop its natural growth
habit.
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Caesalpinia gilliesii,
Caesalpiniaceae
Yellow Bird-of-Paradise Shrub,
bonsiana gillias