Palo Verde, Blue & Foothills (Parkinsonia florida & microphylla)
The unmistakeable green-trunked palo verde gets a bad rap in the Phoenix Valley for uprooting during heavy winds, but that’s only because conventional landscapers and arborists over-prune and under-water. In proper conditions, the palo verde is incredibly resilient and a critical component of Sonoran Desert ecology.
Mature Canopy Size
Blue: 25–35 ft wide, 25–35 ft tall
Foothills: 15–25 ft
Growth Rate
Blue: Fast — grows 2–3 ft per year in ideal conditions
Foothills: A bit slower, 1-2 ft per year
Water Requirements (Minimum vs. Maximum Growth)
Minimum: Very low — thrives on rainfall once established
For Fast Growth: Monthly deep watering during summer thickens canopy and accelerates size
Ecological & Functional Benefits
Native nitrogen fixer — boosts soil fertility
High-value wildlife tree: supports pollinators, desert birds, and small mammals
Drought-adapted and fire-wise
Nicknamed the “Nurse tree” because it provides filtered (not dense) shade — ideal for understory planting
Foothills palo verde is even more drought-hardy but offers less shade and smaller pods
Edible / Harvest Season / Nutritional Benefits
Yes — seed pods edible when green or roasted
Mild flavor, high in protein and carbs
Harvest late spring to early summer
Seeds from Blue Palo Verde are typically larger and easier to eat than those from Foothills
Minimum Chill Hours
None — thrives in hot, low-desert zones without winter chilling
Maintenance Requirements
Moderate — prune young to avoid weak branch unions and manage canopy shape
Can be messy in spring when dropping yellow flowers and pods
Thorny or Not?
Yes — small thorns on branches, though some nursery cultivars (e.g. Desert Museum) are thornless hybrids
Deciduous or Not?
Semi-deciduous — drops leaves in drought or cold, but green bark continues photosynthesis
Root System
Blue palo verde prefers slightly deeper soils
Wide-spreading but not deeply aggressive
Can uplift paving or compete with foundations if planted too close — allow 10–15 ft spacing
Deep, occasional irrigation encourages downward root growth and reduces surfacing
Not recommended near septic or pools
Miscellaneous Notes
Bark is photosynthetic — tree continues energy production even leafless
Flowers are highly attractive to bees, especially carpenter bees
Native to washes and low desert plains
The Blue palo verde is the Arizona state tree!
Questions about the Blue Palo Verde?
Comment below or on our social media pages @permascaping.
