Tree · Sonoran native
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis · Bignoniaceae
Also called: Desertwillow, Mimbre, Flowering Willow, Catalpa willow
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) is a low-water tree native to the Sonoran Desert region well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It grows to 15-25 ft H x 10-20 ft W in full sun.
Desert Willow at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Full sun
- Mature size
- 15-25 ft H x 10-20 ft W
- Growth rate
- Fast (moderate to fast)
- Bloom
- Pink, lavender, burgundy, or white (trumpet-shaped, orchid-like; varies by cultivar), Late spring through fall (May-October), heaviest after rains/irrigation
- Cold hardiness
- Cold hardy to about 0-10 F; USDA zones 7-9. Winter deciduous.
- Soil
- Well-drained soils; tolerates rocky, sandy, and alkaline soils. Native to washes, so it handles periodic deep soaking but needs good drainage.
- Native range
- Sonoran, Chihuahuan, and Mojave deserts of the southwestern U.S. (AZ, CA, NM, TX, NV, UT) and northern Mexico; naturally along desert washes, arroyos, and intermittent streams.
- Best used as
- Flowering accent and small shade tree, Patio, courtyard, and streetscape tree, Wildlife and pollinator gardens, Wash and naturalized desert plantings
- Wildlife
- Major hummingbird plant; trumpet flowers also attract native bees, carpenter bees, and butterflies. Seeds eaten by birds; provides cover and nesting habitat.
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic; no significant toxicity reported to humans or pets. Despite the name it is not a true willow (Salix).
How to grow Desert Willow in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Drought tolerant once established; for best, longest bloom give deep irrigation every 2-3 weeks in summer, less in spring/fall, and essentially none in winter dormancy. Tolerates lower water but flowers less. Overwatering produces lush growth and fewer flowers.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Low needs; minimal to no fertilizer. A light spring application can support bloom in lean soils, but it is naturally adapted to poor desert soils and does not require feeding.
Pruning & care
Prune in winter dormancy to shape, develop trunk structure, and remove twiggy, crossing, or dead growth; can be trained as single- or multi-trunk tree or large shrub. Light summer deadheading of spent seedpods encourages reblooming and reduces messy litter. Avoid heavy topping.
Notes
One of the most popular flowering native desert trees for Tucson because of its long, showy bloom and toughness. Many improved cultivars exist (e.g., 'Bubba', 'Art's Seedless', 'Lucretia Hamilton', 'Timeless Beauty') selected for richer flower color and fewer/no seedpods (less litter). Produces long, slender seed capsules; seedless types are tidier.
Sources: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; AMWUA "Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert"; University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; Tucson Botanical Gardens / Tohono Chul; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center