Desert Museum Palo Verde - Parkinsonia X Desert Museum

Other common names:

Size (HXW): 25 Ft X 35 Ft

USDA Hardiness zones: 9-10

Sun requirement: Full sun

Water requirement: Low water needs once established

Plant description: The desert museum palo verde is a hybrid palo verde that is considered the 'super tree' of its kind. It has all the qualities of other palo verdes but without the thorns. This has made it one of the most popular trees in desert gardens today. The tree is fast-growing and needs supplemental water during the hotter months.

Similar suggested plants: Palo brea

Bloom period: Abundant yellow blooms, spring to early summer

Planting and growing information: Plant in well-draining soil. To avoid wind throw place irrigation emitters at the edges of the tree's canopy. This will encourage the roots to spread away from the trunk in search of water and make the entire tree stronger. Since the tree is fast-growing summer pruning is needed to create pockets for wind to get through. Never prune more than 30% of the tree during the summer, pruning too much will lead to sunburn and encourage pest invasion. Prune crossing branches.

Palo verdes have green trunks. In the desert having smaller leaves helps to reduce water loss so the tree makes up for it by having photosynthesis occur in the trunk, causing the green color.

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