Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis

The common name Desert Willow is derived from its habitat of desert-like locations and its resemblance to the willow tree, to which it is not related.   Considered phreatophyte, a deep-rooted plant that gets its water from the water table.

It's a Southwest US native deciduous shrub or multi-trunked small tree with showy fragrant pink tubular flowers in the willow family.  Its native habitat includes along desert streams or sandy washes as well as canyons where subsurface water can be found for a good part of the year. These native areas include the eastern portion of the Mohave Desert in California, extending south into the upper Baja California, then east to southern Nevada, Arizona, southern New Mexico and western Texas.

It's leaning, twisted trunk make this plant a great addition to the garden or yard.   Use this flowering tree as a hedge or in a winter interest or drought-tolerant garden.  Growing quickly as a young plant, its grown will slow down as the plant matures.

Routine pruning during the first few years will encourage additional trunks to form.  Cutting back by 1/3 during the winter dormancy period will encourage branching and blooming.  

Deadheading will encourage additional blooms.  Blooming on new wood, the more it gets pruned, the more flowers will be produced.

When grown as a shrub, it serves as a form of erosion control.

Wood from the Desert Willow has been used in making bows and baskets.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious insect or disease issues.  Aphids can be an occasional problem.  Leaf scorch bacteria can also be an occasional problem.  Its self-seeding make it a poor choice in the landscape.