Plant Highlights

This is a hybrid palo verde tree that has its origin in three parent trees: Parkinsonia microphyllum, Parkinsonia floridum, and Parkinsonia aculeata. One great attribute of ‘Desert Museum’ is that unlike other palo verdes, it is thornless— the better to show off its smooth green trunk and branches! It has long thin, lime green leaves that are divided into tiny leaflets. ‘Desert Museum’ palo verde boasts a longer bloom time and larger flowers than other varieties, showcasing 1” bright yellow flowers in spring and summer. Parkinsonia ‘Desert Museum’ gets to be about 20’ to 30’ high and wide, but can be pruned to be kept smaller. Since it is a sterile hybrid it will not reseed. The filtered shade offered by ‘Desert Museum’ is typical of palo verdes, just a light covering that allows many other kinds of plants to grow beneath it. This tree can be affected by powdery mildew near the coast; it is much better suited for the warmth and dry air inland. Like its parent plants, ‘Desert Museum’ loves blazing full sun and is impervious to heat; it can take wind, poor soil and temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a trouble free, fast growing tree and can reach its full height in as little as 3 to 5 years. Once established, needs only occasional watering at the most, and none in many circumstances. A great small to medium sized tree for xeriscaping and attracting birds to your garden, ‘Desert Museum’ is a gem for any desert or low water garden.