This Tree Grows Faster Than a Desert Willow

[00:00:00]This plant has blooms like a desert willow, but it actually grows about twice as fast. Let's talk about chitalpas. Now, you notice that the flowers on this plant looks strikingly similar to a desert willow, which is chilopsis, and that's because this is actually a cross between a desert willow and a catalpa. So, that's why it's called chitalpa. So, it's a cross between the catalpa and the chilopsis, so [music] it gives it that funny name.

[00:00:25]Now, I find this plant super intriguing because both of those plants are native to the southern United States. The desert willow is more arid, has smaller leaves. The catalpa gets much larger and has larger leaves.

[00:00:37]>> [music] >> And for some reason, when they've crossed them, you get this nice plant that has larger leaves than a desert willow, but the flowers are very similar to a desert willow. Now, the other good thing about mixing those catalpa genetics in there is because catalpa is a larger tree that grows faster, that gives this plant a faster growth rate.

[00:00:54]In fact, they can grow anywhere from 3 to 5 ft per year if you give them regular irrigation. But, they don't get as large as the catalpa trees. So, this variety is called El Niño from Proven Winners, and it maxes out at about 15 [music] ft tall. And the desert willow genetics not only give it the really pretty flowers, but it will also be quite drought tolerant once you get it established. Though, it does grow faster if you give it regular irrigation.

[00:01:21][music] Now, these plants are going to be cold hardy in zones 6 through 9, so that opens up a lot of different areas where you can grow them. So, if you want a small to medium-size tree that's very unique with gorgeous blooms, then a chitalpa might just be a great choice for you.