Caesalpinia Gilliesii growing in Ohio

[Chris Wilson]

Wanted to share some pictures of one of my favorite flowers in my zone 6b Ohio garden. My Caesalpinia Gilliesii aka Desert Bird of Paradise has survived the past 3 winters here even after temperatures as low as 5F. It does usually have some dieback to around 4 or 5 feet but quickly recovers to around 8 feet tall each summer.

[Silas_Sancona]

14 minutes ago, Chris Wilson said:

Wanted to share some pictures of one of my favorite flowers in my zone 6b Ohio garden. My Caesalpinia Gilliesii aka Desert Bird of Paradise has survived the past 3 winters here even after temperatures as low as 5F. It does usually have some dieback to around 4 or 5 feet but quickly recovers to around 8 feet tall each summer.

Very nice.. Having lived just east of Cincinnati for a few years,  Not something I'd have expected would survive up there, even though they're a pretty tough plant.   If it ever sets any, starting seeds is easy. - just in case you know people there who might be interested in trying one.                                                                                                                                  Makes me wonder how Calliandra eriophylla ...and a cross involving another regionally native sp.  would do there if placed in an ideal spot.  C. eriophllya survives in foothill locations that can get pretty cold / see occasional snow here. 

[Chris Wilson]

37 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Very nice.. Having lived just east of Cincinnati for a few years,  Not something I'd have expected would survive up there, even though they're a pretty tough plant.   If it ever sets any, starting seeds is easy. - just in case you know people there who might be interested in trying one.                                                                                                                                  Makes me wonder how Calliandra eriophylla ...and a cross involving another regionally native sp.  would do there if placed in an ideal spot.  C. eriophllya survives in foothill locations that can get pretty cold / see occasional snow here. 

I actually grew mine from seed and I agree they are very easy to germinate, mine grew a few seed pods last summer as well. I think the area where I have it planted is why it does so well, there is an eave above it so it stays very dry there. I might have to try Calliandra Eriophylla it would probably survive in a similar location as my Caesalpinia. I noticed the flowers of that Calliandra look very similar to another common tree in my area Albizia Julibrissin.

[hbernstein]

That's amazing! Congratulations on the successful zone-pushing.

[N8ALLRIGHT]

On 8/21/2022 at 4:31 PM, Chris Wilson said:

Wanted to share some pictures of one of my favorite flowers in my zone 6b Ohio garden. My Caesalpinia Gilliesii aka Desert Bird of Paradise has survived the past 3 winters here even after temperatures as low as 5F. It does usually have some dieback to around 4 or 5 feet but quickly recovers to around 8 feet tall each summer.

Man I really like that bird! Well done, love seeing your trachy in there as well!

[Chris Wilson]

16 minutes ago, N8ALLRIGHT said:

Man I really like that bird! Well done, love seeing your trachy in there as well!

Thank you! That Trachy has grown so fast, it’s hard to believe it was only 2 feet tall 6 years ago.

[N8ALLRIGHT]

Ohio beast mode!