Wednesday, April 30, 2008

My Mexican Bird of Paradise is in Bloom


My three year old Mexican Bird of Paradise tree is in bloom for the first time. I guess she finally grew up. The flowers are beautiful. I showed the pictures to Manly Man and he asked, "Is that in our yard?" Yes that is in our yard right here in tiny town Texas.
It is Caesalpinia pulcherrima. Another common name is peacock flower. I can see why. It is the national flower of Barbados and is depicted on the Queen's personal flag.
I received this plant three years ago in a Dixie cup. It was a tiny tree started from seed by an wonderful gardener/friend/member of my MG group. I still see her garden in my mind's eye when I plan my future garden in a larger space.
This tree is about eight feet tall and fern like in appearance. At first, I was afraid it would either die on me or never bloom. Turns out that it has naturalized here in Texas. Zone 9 or above it is an evergreen shrub. Here in zone 8a it is a deciduous perennial. I just love it and I am very grateful to the gardener who shared it with me.
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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 30, 2008 at 9:27 PM

    Congratulations. It looks so exotic. You are so smart. Every day I feel like I know less and less as I learn how much I don't know. I see this and think--what else is out there waiting to be discovered. You were sure patient as you waited for it to bloom.

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  2. Aunt Debbi/kurts momApril 30, 2008 at 9:37 PM

    Hi Anna, Thank you. I am glad it turned out well. Isn't it what gardening is all about, no matter what our age, we learn something new. I have a slogan if you make it to *** chapel street you get to stay. It came, stayed, and bloomed. Lucky Me.

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  3. MarieApril 30, 2008 at 11:22 PM

    Your Mexican Bird of Paradise tree is a beauty :)

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  4. Michelle | Bleeding EspressoApril 30, 2008 at 11:41 PM

    So beautiful! I've never seen one of these before in photos or otherwise. Simply gorgeous.

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  5. CanadianGardenJoyMay 1, 2008 at 3:42 AM

    Debbie ... remember I kept asking you "what CAN you grow there with your heat and humidity, that is worse than ours ?" .. HUGE WOW !!! That is a remarkable tree/shrub ! I have never heard of it and it looks amazing girl !
    I always learn something new or different in my garden and on here.
    Thanks !
    Joy : )

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  6. NancyMay 1, 2008 at 9:33 AM

    That's beautiful. Is it growing in full sun or some part sun?

    Cool trick with the tomatoes, I plant in raised beds, so I just dig deep enough to bury them up to their necks, but if I had a in ground garden, that would be a useful trick.

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  7. Mom's the WordMay 1, 2008 at 9:47 AM

    Quick off topic question, I just found a mockingbird nest in my butterfly bush that's smack in the middle of my butterfly garden. Am I going to be attacked? I definitely am going to leave them alone; I just don't want to be dive bombed every time I enter my garden.

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  8. lisaMay 1, 2008 at 11:30 AM

    Wow! That's gorgeous! All the more satisfying that you raised it from a young-un'....very cool. I like my temps in WI, but I'd love to be able to grow tropical stuff like that...does it smell good?

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  9. Aunt Debbi/kurts momMay 1, 2008 at 2:56 PM

    Marie and Espresso, Thanks.

    There you have it Joy. That's what I can grow in hotter than hades humid weather.

    Thanks Nancy, That thing is in full sun on a west facing wall. It is a drought tolerant tree.

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  10. Aunt Debbi/kurts momMay 1, 2008 at 2:58 PM

    Hey sister, yes you are probably going to get dive bombed. Just try to stay away from the nest. It is illegal to mess with them in Texas.

    Hi Lisa and thanks. No there is really no scent. Too bad:(

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