Columns
Kidnocker: When is a willow not a willow?
The answer to the above question is “when it is a desert willow” with its fragrant, orchid-like flowers that bloom most of the summer. Currently, these large shrubs (or small trees) are a riot of spring color throughout the Santa Cruz Valley.
Chilopsis linearis is a member of a family of blooming plants that includes yellowbells and certain trumpet vines. Desert willow is widespread in the wild along dry washes and roadsides, as well as in cultivation throughout much of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.
These trees survive where true willows could not by several arid-adapted characteristics.
Tap roots can grow downward 50 feet or more in search of water. Their leaves have a waxy coating that limits evaporation. During long periods of extreme heat and drought, leaves will fall and the tree goes into dormancy. When rains begin, new leaves are produced and photosynthesis re-starts.
In nature desert willows have a shrubby growth habit with basal suckers and branches to the ground, making a perfect rest stop for wildlife. For landscape use, the canopy is more often lifted to create a tree form. Because of its unique branch structure, haphazard pruning can lead to extensive suckering and an uncharacteristic shape. Occasional trimming is recommended during the time the tree is without foliage, so the results can better be visualized.
The long, slender, light green leaves make this deciduous tree look like a traditional willow. The real show comes from the bell-shaped flowers with their open, flared ends with ruffled edges. Colors range from white to lavender to pink to burgundy. There are also some bi-colored varieties available. Attractive to hummingbirds, these lovely flowers are pollinated primarily by large, noisy black carpenter bees.
After flowering, slender pods 4 to 12 inches long appear. These may hang onto the branches all winter. Numerous papery, winged seeds are released from the pods and germinate easily. With regular watering, desert willows grow rapidly up to 3 feet a year for several years before slowing down. Most will mature at around 20 feet high with up to a 15 feet spread.
Though rainfall alone will keep the plants alive, for the best appearance established trees can be watered once or twice a month during the summer season. Deep irrigation with a soaker hose is an effective and simple way to water trees. Mature desert willows do not require fertilizer and are not susceptible to pests or disease.
If you have a space where reflected heat is intense, this may be the perfect plant. These shrubs/trees may be planted anytime from containers into full sun or partial shade. They seem to establish best if they are leafed out when planted. Tolerant of most soil types, desert willows do require excellent drainage.
In case you don’t know what a desert willow looks like, there are two in the Arid Garden off Camino Encanto. One is probably 20 years or older and is about 20 feet high.
Three years ago, nearly half of this tree was torn off when a large nearby eucalyptus tree fell into it during a windstorm. Rather than being removed, it was trimmed and allowed to recover. Today, with its new rush of foliage, the damage is hardly noticeable.
Also at the Arid Garden is a volunteer desert willow growing along a dry wash. It has been allowed to become a shrub and trimmed to around 8 feet tall. These trees receive only a little supplemental water, so apparently have established good taproot systems from which they get most of their moisture. Both are currently in flower, doing their job to attract pollinators.
It is recommended that you select your desert willow when it is in bloom to be sure you get the subtle color difference you prefer. Of the named forms, “Burgundy” has deep magenta flowers and “Lois Adams” blooms are pale lavender.
Graceful foliage and beautiful flowers help make desert willow a desirable accent tree. Give it consideration for that “hot spot” in your landscape.
Mary Kidnocker is a Master Gardener who writes frequently about the subject from a local perspective. Her columns are featured each Sunday.
Chilopsis linearis is a member of a family of blooming plants that includes yellowbells and certain trumpet vines. Desert willow is widespread in the wild along dry washes and roadsides, as well as in cultivation throughout much of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.
These trees survive where true willows could not by several arid-adapted characteristics.
Tap roots can grow downward 50 feet or more in search of water. Their leaves have a waxy coating that limits evaporation. During long periods of extreme heat and drought, leaves will fall and the tree goes into dormancy. When rains begin, new leaves are produced and photosynthesis re-starts.
In nature desert willows have a shrubby growth habit with basal suckers and branches to the ground, making a perfect rest stop for wildlife. For landscape use, the canopy is more often lifted to create a tree form. Because of its unique branch structure, haphazard pruning can lead to extensive suckering and an uncharacteristic shape. Occasional trimming is recommended during the time the tree is without foliage, so the results can better be visualized.
The long, slender, light green leaves make this deciduous tree look like a traditional willow. The real show comes from the bell-shaped flowers with their open, flared ends with ruffled edges. Colors range from white to lavender to pink to burgundy. There are also some bi-colored varieties available. Attractive to hummingbirds, these lovely flowers are pollinated primarily by large, noisy black carpenter bees.
After flowering, slender pods 4 to 12 inches long appear. These may hang onto the branches all winter. Numerous papery, winged seeds are released from the pods and germinate easily. With regular watering, desert willows grow rapidly up to 3 feet a year for several years before slowing down. Most will mature at around 20 feet high with up to a 15 feet spread.
Though rainfall alone will keep the plants alive, for the best appearance established trees can be watered once or twice a month during the summer season. Deep irrigation with a soaker hose is an effective and simple way to water trees. Mature desert willows do not require fertilizer and are not susceptible to pests or disease.
If you have a space where reflected heat is intense, this may be the perfect plant. These shrubs/trees may be planted anytime from containers into full sun or partial shade. They seem to establish best if they are leafed out when planted. Tolerant of most soil types, desert willows do require excellent drainage.
In case you don’t know what a desert willow looks like, there are two in the Arid Garden off Camino Encanto. One is probably 20 years or older and is about 20 feet high.
Three years ago, nearly half of this tree was torn off when a large nearby eucalyptus tree fell into it during a windstorm. Rather than being removed, it was trimmed and allowed to recover. Today, with its new rush of foliage, the damage is hardly noticeable.
Also at the Arid Garden is a volunteer desert willow growing along a dry wash. It has been allowed to become a shrub and trimmed to around 8 feet tall. These trees receive only a little supplemental water, so apparently have established good taproot systems from which they get most of their moisture. Both are currently in flower, doing their job to attract pollinators.
It is recommended that you select your desert willow when it is in bloom to be sure you get the subtle color difference you prefer. Of the named forms, “Burgundy” has deep magenta flowers and “Lois Adams” blooms are pale lavender.
Graceful foliage and beautiful flowers help make desert willow a desirable accent tree. Give it consideration for that “hot spot” in your landscape.
Mary Kidnocker is a Master Gardener who writes frequently about the subject from a local perspective. Her columns are featured each Sunday.
Copyright © 2010 - Green Valley News and Sun