The showy Bird of Paradise species...which one is right for your yard?

For summer color and attracting hummingbirds, the Caesalpinia species are an option. While none of these plants are native to Arizona, they are low water use. Which one is the best? It depends on what you are looking for. Low maintenance might be a priority; or maybe you prefer a plant that's not winter dormant. So how do you choose?

First of all, do not rely on a common name. They can be very misleading. One plant can have many common names. If you want the correct plant,  you must rely on the Latin name. Using a plant's Latin name is the only way to be sure you are buying the plant you want. 

 Here's an overview of your choices:

Caesalpinia pulcherrima (RED BIRD OF PARADISE)

The Red Bird of Paradise is native to Mexico and the West Indies. It matures to about 6' tall and wide. However, since it is frost tender, it will freeze to the ground when temperatures go down to 30 degrees or colder. Once it freezes back, you will need to cut the plant to the ground. It will recover quickly once warm weather arrives. 

The Red Bird is considered a low water use plant, surviving on weekly irrigation in the hottest part of the summer. Once established it may live on less, but if you want lots of flowers you will need to water it more. 

Advantages: Colorful, showy red and orange flowers attract hummingbirds.

Disadvantages: Thorny, frost tender, and can become a pest. It will reseed everywhere if it is happy, and is difficult to remove.

Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherimma)

 

Casesalpinia mexicana MEXICAN BIRD OF PARADISE

 The Mexican Bird of Paradise is native to Mexico. This variety reaches tree size, maturing at about 10' tall and 8' wide. The flowers are yellow. It is cold hardy to about 15 degrees, and considered mostly evergreen. Unlike the Red Bird, it has no thorns.

The Mexican Bird of Paradise is also a low water use plant, but will do better with supplemental irrigation during the hottest part of the summer.

Advantages: Thornless, evergreen, attracts hummingbirds, requires little pruning. 

Disadvantages: The seed pods are messy, and "explode" when they are ripe, scattering seeds everywhere. It does not seem to propagate itself as readily as the Red Bird, though.

Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia mexicana)

Caesalpinia gilliesii YELLOW BIRD OF PARADISE

The Yellow Bird of Paradise is also not a native, as it originates from Argentina. It has naturalized here, however, making itself at home without becoming an invasive pest. This species matures at 6' tall by 5' wide, and is deciduous. While it will lose its leaves in cold weather, it does not freeze to the ground. Therefore, maintenance is minimal. It has the same water requirements as the other two varieties, but may survive on rainfall once established.

Advantages: Showy yellow flowers with red stamens attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Thornless. Very low maintenance.

Disadvantages: Winter deciduous. 

Yellow Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii)

While we're on the topic of plants named Bird of Paradise, there's at least one more you may see in warmer parts of Arizona, or where there is significant frost protection. 

The African Bird of Paradise hales from South Africa. Not a desert plant by any means, it is damaged at 28 degrees, and killed at 20. It prefers rich soil, ample moisture, and heavy feeding. Some plant parts are believed to be poisonous.

African Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

 

Choosing the right planting container

 

 

Container planting is a great way to add interest to special areas such as your front entry or an intimate patio. Keep in mind, however, that not all planting containers are created equal. In the desert southwest, the best pots are the ones that don’t get too hot for plant roots, and that can take winter freezes without falling apart.

Plastic pots, including the new heavy duty composite versions that look like clay, last a long time, but they do have their drawbacks. When sitting in full sun, they get very hot, often to the point that the side of the pot that gets the most sun will prevent roots from growing there. In addition, while it is good they don’t dry out as fast, they also tend to hold too much moisture. Therefore it is important to always check the soil moisture level before adding more water. If you are currently determining if a container plant needs more water by touching the surface of the soil, this is a mistake, especially for large containers. If the soil is wet just a few inches below and you add more water, you can easily suffocate the roots with oversaturation. A gadget called a moisture meter (about $5-$8 in home improvement stores) is a worthwhile investment. The gauge tells you if the soil is dry or wet to a depth of six to eight inches (the length of the probe), not just at surface level.

Avoid buying pottery from Mexico, as although it is inexpensive, it is not worth the low price since they will disintegrate quickly. This type of pottery is fired at a low temperature. Low fired clay absorbs moisture inside and out, crumbling into nothing after just a few freeze/thaw experiences. Coating the inside with waterproofing material does not make any difference, as the exterior will still absorb rain and expand with heating and cooling.

High-fired Italian clay, glazed pottery and concrete planters are good choices, but each have features to consider before purchasing.

Italian clay is high-fired, making it quite durable. It is also known as Terra Cotta. These pots dry out quicker, so will need more water during the hot summer. However they breathe well, allowing roots to get the oxygen they need.

Glazed pots are coated with melted glass, which requires high firing temperatures. This is a wonderful way to add color to your landscaping no matter what you plant in them. They are pricey, but worth it. They will last a very long time. The options are wide, and what works best depends on your intent. While the ones with patterns and decorations are lovely, solid colors draw attention to the plant, not the pot. However, they do not breathe because of the glaze, so be careful not to over-water.

Concrete planter options are best for large plants. They are very expensive and require special delivery and equipment to set up…so make sure you know exactly where you want them because moving them around is not easy! Phoenix Precast Concrete is the only company I’ve found with a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. They do breathe somewhat, but also be careful not to over-water.

Planting in containers gives you so many options. Depending on the type and size, they can serve as focal points and entry statements. They can also make gardening easier, allowing you to move them around for proper sun exposure, and reach without bending and stooping. Planting containers can be higher maintenance in the sense that you will need to water more often and occasionally change the potting soil, but for many the convenience and joy they bring exceeds the maintenance.

Got agave problems? It may be this common pest.

The agave is one of my favorite plants. Nothing quite compares to its dramatic form, making it a great choice to add interest in desert landscaping. While both low water use and normally maintenance-free, the agave does succumb to an annoying insect that decimates the entire plant with little notice that there is a problem until it is too late.

The symptom of snout-nosed agave weevil damage almost looks like the plant is wilted from lack of water.

However, this is not the case. What has happened is that the weevil has chewed a hole into the center bud of the plant. While doing so, they excrete an enzyme that softens plant tissue, allowing bacteria, fungi and diseases to take hold. When the female lays her eggs, the white grubs that hatch eat the plant from the inside out. This process takes 2 to 3 months. Once you see the damage, the plant is dead and there is nothing you can do to save it. I’m not a proponent of systemic insecticides, which you may read is an option. I prefer to recommend you avoid the species of agave that is the most susceptible to snout-nose agave weevil attacks: the Century Plant. (Agave Americana, photo)

Proper plant care also reduces susceptibility to insects and diseases. With agaves, less water is more. Over-watering these plants, if it doesn’t cause roots to rot, speeds up their growth, shortening their lives. When an agave reaches maturity, it will flower and die. And despite what you may have heard, cutting off the flower stalk will not make it live longer.

If you want your plant to live a nice, long life, anywhere from 5 to 25 years (depending on the variety), monitor the water schedule carefully. For plants in the ground, water once a week in the summer, and once a month or so in the winter, depending on winter rains. Container plants in full sun will need twice that, usually twice a week in the summer and twice a month in the winter.

Alternative weed control

Yellow cast of one kind of herbicide

With all of the rains we’ve had, weeds are having a ball. Whether you are a homeowner or landscape contractor responsible for commercial landscaping, using chemical weed killers does not have to be your only choice for weed control. It is important to understand why this is important.

Are weed killers safe? In short, no, although some products insist the weed killing chemical in their sprays do not hurt humans or wildlife. Sadly, they aren’t giving you the whole picture. While the jury may still be out on the main ingredient for some, it is most definitely in when it comes to the so-called inert ingredients.

Inert chemicals in weed killing sprays are toxic. According Crystal Gammon in a June 22^nd, 2009 Environmental Health News article, inert chemicals in Roundup, a popular herbicide, are more deadly than the herbicide itself. The additive known as polyethoxylated tallowamine, is particularly poisonous to human embryonic cells. It is also toxic to cells making up the placenta and umbilical cord.

Think about this: Hundreds of thousands of gallons of Round-Up are used every day to spray common areas, roadsides, and yards. Not only does this end up in our groundwater, every time you walk outside, you, and even your pets, have the potential to pick up residual spray on shoes and paws, bringing it into your home. Traces of herbicides can be found on your floors, carpets and furniture. Your pets ingest the stuff when they lick their paws. Scary.

There are at least two products currently available to control weeds that do not harm people, pets and wildlife.

A “weed flamer” is very effective in controlling weeds, and also has the bonus of killing weed seeds before they germinate. The weed flamer works by boiling water in plant cells, causing them to burst. This is the first step to weed killing. While passing the flame over the weed, you also burn weed seeds on the ground. It is important to remember when using this tool to only use it on small, green weeds. Obviously, if you try and burn large, dead weeds you risk setting fires. This is no toy, and requires the utmost care when using, but is highly effective. It is especially useful along edges of driveways, sidewalks and in areas of landscape rock. Red Dragon currently holds the patent for a weed flamer. You can find it on their website, or in some Ace Hardware stores.

Another simple weed killer is vinegar. Although store bought vinegar with 5% acidity will work, you may have to spray more than once. However, with horticultural vinegar coming in at 20% acidity, it works much quicker. Adding a squirt of dish soap helps, too, binding the vinegar to the leaves. Dish soap also acts like tiny magnifying glasses, intensifying the sun’s rays and burning the leaves ever more. Comparing the price of chemical weed killer to a gallon of horticultural vinegar will also sell you on the idea even if you don’t care about toxic chemicals in your yard. Horticultural vinegar is available on Amazon.

Although it sounds very old-fashioned, a stirrup hoe is a very effective way to keep weeds under control. This hoe, shaped like a stirrup, slips under weeds disturbing a minimal amount of soil. This is important so you don’t accidentally plant more seeds to come up later while hoeing. As with any weed control, getting weeds out when they are small is the key to less effort.

Another option is to “solarize” your soil. In late spring, cover a weedy area with CLEAR 5 mil plastic. Secure the edges with weights, or bury edges with dirt. That’s it! Leave the cover there for at least 2 months. This will kill all weeds and weed seeds; however, keep in mind it will also kill beneficial insects, soil microbes…everything. This is important if you are solarizing a garden area.

Some folks swear by pre-emergents, as they are intended to keep weeds from germinating in the first place. Aside from the high price, it is just another chemical added to our groundwater after a heavy rain. An alternative to chemical pre-emergents is corn gluten meal. Non-toxic and safe, corn gluten inhibits weed growth and will not poison your yard in the process. As a side note, it is thought that using pre-emergents are directly related to increase populations of mites. Another good reason to remember how closely everything in the world is related. Kill one thing, affect another. And not necessarily in a good way.

We all have a responsibility to the health of our planet, and if going green is high on your list, put away those poisons and do the right thing when controlling weeds. Your children’s children will thank you.

Tree pruning tips

Trees in nature get along quite well without pruning. In fact, they don’t care if they are ever pruned at all.

The only reasons trees are pruned are for people. Here are some acceptable reasons to prune trees:

1.      Clearance. We raised the canopy of trees so we can sit, walk or park underneath. We prune limbs to keep them off of our roof, or from coming into contact with power or phone lines.

2.      Aesthetics: We shape trees so they are more symmetrical. While we often remove dead branches, this does not improve the health of a tree, nor make them grow better. In fact, if you want bird life to visit your yard, leave the dead branches. Birds prefer their trees ‘un-messed’ with.

3.      Mistletoe: Mistletoe often attacks mesquites and other landscape trees. While a tree can live a very long life with mistletoe, I recommend removing it. Because mistletoe is a parasite, it will eventually kill the tree. And as it does so, it makes for a very ugly and sickly-looking plant.

4.      Vista Pruning: We prune trees in order to maintain views.

How do you know if your tree needs pruning and can you do it yourself? That depends on the age, size, species and location of the tree. The larger the tree and the more extensive the pruning needs are, the more likely you will need to hire a certified arborist for a consultation. Do you really need a professional? Yes, you do. If you hire someone without proper training, they could well ruin your tree forever.

Regular maintenance can often be accomplished by a homeowner. Here are some tips for do-it-yourself tree care:

1.      Newly planted trees should NOT be pruned at planting time except to remove broken or crossing branches. All branches on the lower part of the trunk should be left on for at least two years. This will ensure sturdy trunk growth to help the tree stand on its own.

2.      Raise the canopy by removing small branches before you ever remove large branches. Removing a two-inch diameter limb leaves a serious wound. Always assess each cut before removing more. As you release the weight by cutting off branches, you may find you’ve raised the canopy enough without the need to cut more. You want to remove the fewest number of branches to get the job done. Always prune to point of origin—do not “hedge” cut a tree.

3.      Do NOT leave coat-hangers—those ugly long stubs. Always cut back to the point of beginning.

4.      Do NOT cut into the trunk. This damages the cambium layer, the living part of a tree’s trunk. All cuts should be made to stay outside of the “branch protection zone”—a ridge of bark that surrounds where the branch is attached to the tree.

5.      Never remove more than 25% of the canopy in one year. Because older trees have a harder time with extensive pruning, aim for no more than 10% in those cases.

6.      NEVER top a tree. Topping a tree means cutting of the central leader back to a branch that cannot assume the role of a leader. If your tree is blocking your view, growing too tall, getting into power lines—there are options—including selective thinning, raising the canopy, or waiting for the tree to grow out of the view. If these are not an option or don’t work, have it removed. Trees CANNOT be shortened without ruining them forever.

Visit the International Society of Arboriculture website to learn more about tree care.