Desert willow, c. linearis, is a small landscape tree. (Laura Lukes/Contributed) Desert willow blooms in the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden in Durham, California.
(Laura Kling/Contributed) Desert willow, c. linearis, has long slender leaves and beautiful blossoms. (Laura Lukes/Contributed) Desert willow provides shade to succulents in the Master Gardener Demonstartion Garden in May 2024.
(Laura Kling/Contributed) Chilopsis linearis, the desert willow or desert catalpa, is prized in dry gardens for its showy, fragrant blossoms which cover the tree in summer. When many native bloomers are past their spring glory and entering semi-dormancy to protect against heat and drought, the desert willow is just getting started; this tree loves the long hot days of summer. It does best in full sun, becoming leggy and thin in part shade.
It is extremely drought resistant and will succumb to root rot if not planted in a well- drained, seldom-irrigated location. In the wild, it will grow in certain riparian conditions, particularly in desert regions along streams, washes and channels that are ephemeral, drying up between rains. Deciduous in winter, desert willows may shed some leaves in extreme summers to help conserve energy and food.
‘The Real Dirt’ is a column by various local master gardeners who are part of the UC Master Gardeners of Butte County. Since true willows love moist environments, “desert willow” is an oxymoron; C. linearis is not a true willow but a relative of t.
