The many paloverde trees around Tucson begin blooming each year in April and continue into May. All of the paloverdes here, both the native and cultivated varieties, have yellow flowers, but some of the most spectacular floral displays are those of our native Blue Paloverde (Parkinsonia florida) trees like this one.

If untrimmed, the branches of a mature Blue Paloverde will sweep the ground, and the whole tree will become a dazzling hemisphere of golden flowers in April.

Blue Paloverdes are usually found growing in sandy washes and other areas where they can get a little extra water. They are called Blue Paloverdes because their green bark has a bluish tint, while the green bark of the far more common Yellow Paloverde (Parkinsonia microphylla) is a bit more yellowish.