Desert Willow or Desert Catalpa
Chilopsis linearis (BIGNONIACEAE)
Planting and Growing Desert Willow
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow desert willow or desert catalpa in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, fruit, pods, and seeds of desert willow or desert catalpa
- Growing conditions for desert willow or desert catalpa
- When to plant desert willow or desert catalpa
- How to plant desert willow or desert catalpa
- How to prune desert willow or desert catalpa
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of desert willow or desert catalpa
- Landscape uses of desert willow or desert catalpa
- Pest and disease control for desert willow or desert catalpa
Growing Desert Willow
Many cultivars of fast-growing, open, shrubby, semi-evergreen trees, to 15–25 ft. (4.5–7.5 m) tall and wide, with willowlike, green, fine-textured, narrow leaves, to 1 ft. (30 cm) long. Smooth gray bark becoming rough, on twisted, branching trunks.
Common cultivars include Chilopsis linearis ‘Burgundy’, ‘Hope’, and ‘Regal’.
Desert Willow Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Seeds
Showy, pink, purple, red, white, or multicolored, catalpa-like, deep-throated flowers, to 2 in. (50 mm) long, in spring and autumn, borne in clusters, form long, narrow, woody, seed-filled pods, to 1 ft. (30 cm) long, in autumn–winter.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 6–10. Hardy. Best in arid, hot-summer climates.
Soil Type and Fertility
Dry, well-drained, sandy soil. Fertility: Average–low. 6.0–7.5 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun. Space 7–10 ft. (2.2–3 m) apart.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep damp until established; drought tolerant thereafter. Avoid fertilizing. Prune to shape, promote treelike form. Remove seedpods. Heat, wind tolerant. Propagate by cuttings, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for accents, backgrounds, hedges, screens in arid gardens. Good for sculpted foliage, form. Attracts hummingbirds. Drops flowers, leaves, seedpods, requiring maintenance. Pest and disease resistant.