Water-Wise Gardening

California-Friendly Plant: Yellow Bird of Paradise

Summertime in South Orange County is described by many as paradise, which is why this month’s California-Friendly plant is perfect for your water-wise garden. The yellow bird of paradise has showy yellow followers with bright red stamens, and its colorful annual blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies and signal that summer is here.

This highly recognizable evergreen shrub grows fast and thrives with very little water. Yellow birds of paradise can naturally grow to 10 feet tall, but pruning helps keep the plant to a manageable size. It’s readily available at most nurseries, and by adding this plant to your landscaping, your home can feel like paradise all year round.