Chilopsis linearis     
Desert Willow   
Bignoniaceae Family     

Form: multistemmed tree with graceful appearance; can be trained to single trunk
Seasonality: deciduous
Size: 6-30ft with equal spread
Leaves: simple, solitary, linear, 1/2-3in long, 1/2 to 1/4in wide; long and weeping, willowlike
Flowers: terminal clusters with bell or funnel shape; attractive white, burgundy or pink colors with distinctive yellow throat and venation, bloom strongest in May-June then sporadically
Fruit: dehiscent pod, 4-9in long, cling persistantly on branches throughout winter
Stems/Trunks: smooth when young developing rough fissures with age, prominent lenticils (white spots) on new growth
Range/Origin: along washes throughout SW US and Mexico; elevations to 5000ft
Hardiness: to 0°

seed pods on Chilopsis linearis

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• specimen
• of residential scale
• long bloom period

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun, okay in light shade
• Water: drought tolerant; any supplemental watering should be deep and infrequent
• Soil: tolerant, uniform, best in sandy washes but handles rocky soil
• Propagation: vegetative cuttings and seed
• Maintenance: low; seed pod litter, removal of volunteer seedlings; needs early training if single trunk is desired

NOTES:

fast grower when given supplemental water
large variability in flower color
variety "Lois Adam" is podless
"Desert Hope" has white flower
awesome tree (the favorite of the author of these web pages)

mature specimen, just before springtime leafing out

flower cluster note distinctive yellow throat	lenticils on young growth	foliage detail

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This page was first created July 20, 2001 and last modified May 15, 2004.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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