Create Your Garden

Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow)

Desert Willow, Flowering-Willow, Willowleaf Catalpa, Desert Catalpa, Flor de Mimbre, Mimbre, Bow Willow, False-Willow, Jano, Catalpa-willow

Chilopsis linearis, Desert Willow, Flowering-Willow, Willowleaf Catalpa, Desert Catalpa, Flor de Mimbre, Mimbre, Bow Willow, False-Willow, Jano, Catalpa-willow, Pink Flowers, Drought tolerant tree
Chilopsis linearis, Desert Willow, Flowering-Willow, Willowleaf Catalpa, Desert Catalpa, Flor de Mimbre, Mimbre, Bow Willow, False-Willow, Jano, Catalpa-willow, Pink Flowers, Drought tolerant tree
Chilopsis linearis, Desert Willow, Flowering-Willow, Willowleaf Catalpa, Desert Catalpa, Flor de Mimbre, Mimbre, Bow Willow, False-Willow, Jano, Catalpa-willow, Pink Flowers, Drought tolerant tree
Chilopsis linearis, Desert Willow, Flowering-Willow, Willowleaf Catalpa, Desert Catalpa, Flor de Mimbre, Mimbre, Bow Willow, False-Willow, Jano, Catalpa-willow, Pink Flowers, Drought tolerant tree

Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow) is a spreading deciduous shrub or small deciduous tree adorned with narrow, willowy leaves and showy flower clusters from late spring to fall. Borne at the tips of the branches, the sweetly fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers are reminiscent of catalpa blossoms. Ranging from pale pink to pale violet, they give way to beanlike pods, 6-10 in. long (15-25 cm), that persist on the plant into the following spring and produce seeds with winged hairs. Hummingbirds and bumblebees visit the flowers for their nectar, and a variety of birds eat the seeds. Its shaggy bark and twisted branches make it an interesting silhouette in winter. Fast-growing, easy to maintain, drought tolerant, this desert plant can be planted as a lovely ornamental in courtyards and patios or used for erosion control in arid regions.

  • Grows up to 15-30 ft. tall (4-6 m) and 10-20 ft. wide (3-6 m). At first, it can grow 3 ft. per year (90 cm), but once established will slow down.
  • Thrives in well-drained soils in full sun. Extremely drought and heat-tolerant, Desert Willow is not fussy about soil conditions and grows on most soils, including dry clay, loam, and sand. Water the plant until it is established. Applying fertilizer is beneficial during the establishment period. Once established, supplemental water is not required. An occasional watering during the summer months will contribute to a flush of growth and profuse flowering.
  • Virtually disease and pest-free. Desert willow seeds itself into the landscape and, therefore, is not recommended for planting in lawns.
  • May be pruned to form a tree or shrub as desired. Since blooms occur on new wood, the more it is pruned, the more it flowers.
  • Propagate from seed, hardwood cuttings (dormant) or softwood cuttings (mid-summer).
  • Native from the eastern half of the Mohave Desert in California, south into upper Baja California, east to southern Nevada, Arizona, south to north central Mexico to Nuevo Leon and Zacatecas, southern New Mexico, and west Texas.

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 11
Climate Zones 3B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Bignoniaceae
Common names Desert Willow, Jano, Mimbre
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m)
Spread 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants Arizona, California, New Mexico, Southwest, Texas, United States
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

Recommended Companion Plants

Aloe marlothii (Mountain Aloe)
Aloe ‘Hercules’ (Tree Aloe)
Yucca gloriosa ‘Bright Star’ (Spanish Dagger)
Agave americana (Century Plant)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 11
Climate Zones 3B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Bignoniaceae
Common names Desert Willow, Jano, Mimbre
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height 15' - 30' (4.6m - 9.1m)
Spread 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants Arizona, California, New Mexico, Southwest, Texas, United States
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone