Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis, Tree Seeds (Fast, Showy, Fragrant) (100)

DescriptionIf you are looking for a pretty, fast growing, shrub or small tree for a drought tolerant garden with great big dramatic flowers put Sweet Desert Willow on your planting list. Native to Southwest U.S. and Northern Mexico, Desert Willow is a small, deciduous tree or shrub, often with a leaning, twisting trunk and open, spreading crown, growing 15 to 40 feet. It has narrow, bright green, willow-like leaves and colorful, trumpet shaped flowers. Leaves are both opposite and alternate, 4 to 12 inches long and 1/3 inch wide. The blossom is funnel-shaped, Catalpa-like, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, spreading at the opening into 5 ruffled, petal-like lobes. Flower colors range from white to purple, often with white or yellow and purple streaks within the throat. The flowers are borne in terminal racemes and continually flowers over a 5 month period. By early autumn, the violet-scented flowers, which appear after summer rains, are replaced by slender, long dangling, seedpods with cottony down, 6 to 10 inches long. Birds will eat the seeds and bees and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers. During the cold season, Desert Willow will shed its leaves for up to six months. In summer, few trees can rival the beauty of flowering Desert Willow.