Cercidium floridum

Sunset

Cercidium floridum

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Zones 10-14, 18-20, 29

Full

Minimal

Blue Palo Verde
Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Trees

CERCIDIUM

Tough, trouble-free desert trees valued for floral display, shade, colorful bark. Clusters of small, bright yellow flowers nearly hide the spiny branches in spring. Lightly filtered shade is cast by intricate canopy of twigs rather than by tiny leaves, which are shed early. These trees attract birds. Prune only to enhance form, removing crossing, wayward, or too low branches; hold off on pruning when temperatures rise above 100°F/38°C.

Cercidium floridum

Native to deserts of Southern California, Arizona, Baja California. In gardens, grows fast to 35 ft. tall, 30 ft.wide. Bright pure yellow flowers in 2 to 4 1/2 -in. clusters; earliest of the palo verdes to bloom in spring. Bluish green leaves with one to three pairs of smooth, tiny leaflets; bluish green branches.