How to Grow and Care for Desert Willow

General Information

The Desert Willow, known for its showy, garish flowers and long, slim leaves actually isn't a Willow tree at all, but rather a deciduous tree belonging to the bignonia family. Its scientific name is Chilopsis linearis, and it is native to the southwestern United States. The Desert Willow is typically on the smaller size, and if it does not manifest as a shrub, it is a small tree that does not grow too terribly tall - never over thirty feet, at least.

Besides its flowers, the Desert Willow is also known for its unique trunk, which often grows in an arch close to the ground, and has a weathered, gnarled appearance, even when relatively young. Because of this graceful appearance and attractive flowers, the Desert Willow is a common and popular choice for landscaping purposes in desert areas, and can be seen lining roads and stream beds, and is often used as a focal point in yards. The flower will often attract hummingbirds, and it is common to see other wild birds congregate in its branches. If all of these factors have convinced you to grow a Desert Willow on your property, use the following information to properly grow and care for this desert beauty.

Planting a Desert Willow

If you are extra industrious, you can collect the seeds for the Desert Willow yourself, as they are quite abundant after the seed pods start releasing individual seeds during the Fall. If you have a nursery or home and garden store nearby, however, you will have a better idea of the planting outcome, since the seeds cultivated in a controlled environment generally perform better. When you prepare the soil area for planting, look for a spot that is sandy and well drained. The Desert Willow is a "desert" plant, after all, and it will not do well in an environment with standing water puddles or thick, heavy soil.

You should dig the planting rows eight inches or so apart, and about a quarter of an inch deep. You will also want to ensure that the soil itself is adequately warm, about 65 degrees Fahrenheit, or the seeds run the risk of not germinating and rotting. Water the seeds regularly, but again, avoid fostering standing water to ensure optimum growth conditions. Once the seedlings have sprouted, and emerge from the surface, it is best to stop watering and let nature take over. Young Desert Willows are susceptible to rot, especially in the very first growth stages, so you may want to consider applying an anti-fungus treatment to the soil as a preventative measure.

If the conditions are right, the seedlings will grow quite quickly, but you should wait two years after the initial planting before you pot or transplant your Desert WIllow. After that point, the Desert Willow will probably be too large and have too extensive of a root system to make potting or transplanting feasible. "Layering" is also an option for Desert Willow propagation. If you bury a branch from a mature Desert Willow in moist soil, it will begin to form roots and grow.

Caring for a Desert Willow

Even though the Desert Willow is particularly easy to maintain, drought resistant and adaptable to the hostile desert climate, you will still need to ensure that it is properly cared for and maintained. One of the very first things you should do, when planting a Desert Willow, is ensure that it is located in a very open, shade free spot. The Desert Willow requires direct and full sunlight, and planting a seedling in a shaded area will deprive the young plant from a pivotal growth element. Make sure that you plant away from other trees or large buildings that will block the sapling from a full on exposure to the sun.

Even though the Desert Willow is extremely drought resistant, it still needs an adequate supply of water to grow to its full, healthy potential. It is a good idea to plant or transplant a Desert Willow close to a stream, or even near the side of a road where rainfall runoff collects. Also consider planting near the bottom of hills or slopes. If you should ever desire to prune or shape a Desert Willow, it responds well to regular trimming, and you can stake and tie off its trunk to achieve a straighter trunk growth.