1. * Desert Willow – Chilopsis linearis ssp. arcuata
(kye-LOP-sis lin-ee-AIR-iss)
Family: Bignoniaceae (Trumpet-Creeper Family)
Native to: Foothills of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts from CA & AZ into Mexico; in rocky washes,
depressions and desert grasslands. Common in some areas.
deciduous tree
mature height: 15-30 ft.
mature width: 15-30 ft.
Small tree or large woody shrub – tree-like in garden setting. Winter deciduous for several months
– will look quite bare. Growth form is open, with a spreading crown and graceful drooping branches.
Often multi-trunked, but can be trained to a single-trunk tree. Leaves light green, willow-like. Bark
becomes fissured with age. Long, distinctive seedpods remain on tree through winter.
Growth characteristics:
Long bloom period – April to Aug/Sept. Flowers are reminiscent of Catalpa or
orchids; dark pink or purple, often with white or yellow and purple lines within the throat. Flowers
are large (1 ½ inch) & showy, slightly fragrant, in clusters at the tips of branches.
Distinctive
slender tan seedpods remain on tree through winter.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Very adaptable tree in the water-wise landscape. Can be used as a street, lawn
or patio tree, even in areas with some summer water. Provides filtered to dense shade – can plant
under it. Fine in large raised planters. Great for stabilizing slopes and banks. Useful as a screen,
windbreak, summer shade tree for S-facing walls. Provides a lush-looking accent in dry gardens.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native (invasive) large shrubs such as Albizia julibrissin (silktree),
Buddleja davidii (orange eye butterflybush), Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian olive), Acacia species.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and seeds for food and nectar for hummingbirds.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun best; fine in hot, sunny spots.
Any well-drained soil, even clays – cannot take standing water in winter; any local
pH including alkali (up to pH 9.0).
Zone 2 once established; water deeply when soil gets dry.
None
Inorganic mulch if desired.
Prune to shape young trees.
Branches droop – requires yearly pruning.
remove seedpods in winter to improve appearance. Fairly pest-free with appropriate watering.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed in spring
Can
by cuttings: hard & semi-softwood, easy
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 24,25, 27, 28
2/13/11
* Native to CA but not to Western L.A. Co.
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