Q: My husband pruned two of our Mexican bird of paradise shrubs way down. Only one came back and is doing nicely.Β We have watered and used Miracle Grow fertilizer on the other one but nothing happens. Will it come back next season or do we need to replant a new one?
A:Β If you arenβt seeing any new growth by now, I suspect itβs a goner. You can scratch the surface of the branches to see if there is any green beneath. The good news is you can probably plant new ones from the seeds of the one that is doing nicely. The Mexican bird of paradise (Caesalpinia mexicana) is one of three species that grow in our area. The other two are the yellow (Caesalpinia gilliesii) and red (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) birds of paradise. A good time to prune is once blooming is finished. If you cut them too short, you risk killing them. Try just cutting back the top third next time to be safe. The flower stalks on all three species may be removed to prevent seedpods from forming and to reduce the likelihood of volunteer seedlings.Β If the pods are left on the plant to dry and split, the seeds can be thrown a surprising distance.Β The red bird of paradise dies back to ground at temperatures below freezing. It generally regrows in spring,Β from the groundΒ and the dead parts can be pruned to a few inches above the ground in late winter. Mulching the baseΒ of plantΒ in colder areas may protect the plantβs crown until spring.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to
