Plant of the Week: the Desert Willow

Chilopsis linearis ‘Desert Willow’

This small deciduous tree is extremely drought tolerant once established.  Its open and airy structure displays long, narrow leaves that are highlighted by fragrant trumpet-shaped flowers.  It can be used as a border tree/large shrub, privacy hedge and even kept in a decorative pot or container. Consider adding this plant to your commercial property landscape.

It is a shrub or tree native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The common name is desert willow because of its willow-like leaves, but it is a member of the bignonia family. It is commonly seen in washes and along riverbanks at elevations below 5,000 feet in its range.

It is cultivated for its large, showy flowers, and tolerance of hot, dry climates. Although the natural growth is a very irregular shape, it can be readily pruned into a conventional tree shape. A number of cultivars have been selected. Some, such as 'Rio Salado', have dark purple or magenta flowers.

Chilopsis may survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit

Ranging from 4.5 to as much as 24 feet in height, it can take the form of a shrub or small tree. The linear, curved, deciduous leaves are 4 to 10 inches long and just an inch wide.

The generic name is derived from the Greek words χεῖλος, (cheilos), meaning "lip," and ὄψις (opsis), meaning "resembling," referring to the flowers. They occur in a terminal panicle or raceme, blooming in May through September. About two to four flowers at a time are open in each inflorescence. The calyx is about 2 inches, slightly inflated, and varying shades of purple, while the corolla is 1 inch, and with colors ranging from lavender to light pink. The throat and lower lip has a pattern of yellow ridges and purple lines, and the margins are crinkled. It is pollinated primarily by large bees in the family Apidae, such as carpenter bees, bumblebees, Anthophora, and Centris. The fruit is a linear pod up to 4 inches long, containing numerous winged seeds.

There are two subspecies:

    Chilopsis linearis subsp. linearis. Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, Mexico.
    Chilopsis linearis subsp. arcuata. Nevada, California, Baja California.

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