El Nino Desert Orchid (Chitalpa) - 3 Gallon Pot

El Nino Desert Orchid Chitalpa Chitalpa 'NCXC1' USPPAF' El Nino Plant Details USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub or Small Tree Height at Maturity: 6-8' Width at Maturity: 5-6' Spacing: 4-5' for solid hedge; 10'+ for space between plants Growth Habit / Form: Upright Rounded Growth Rate: Fast Flower Color: Purple shades Flower Size: 1.5 to 2" in pyramidal clusters Flowering Period: Late Spring or Early Summer through Summer Flower Type: Single, in pyramidal clusters Fragrant Flowers: Yes Foliage Color: Green Fragrant Foliage: Sun Needs: Full Sun or Part Shade; 4 hours or more of direct sunlight Water Needs: Average Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silt Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained; moderate drought tolerance when established Soil pH: 6.0 - 8.0 (Slightly Acidic to Alkaline) Maintenance / Care: Low Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Pollinating Insects, Song Birds, Visual Attention Resistances: Deer - more info, Disease, Heat, Insect, Wet Soils Description An intergeneric hybrid of desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) and catalpa (Catalpa sp.). El Nino Desert Orchid thrives in a much wider range and is much easier to care for than either of its parents. It is tolerant to the poor soils and dry heat of the West, as well as the heat and humidity in southern climates. It features abundant clusters of absolutely beautiful, sweetly scented, orchid-like flowers in purple shades. Depending on your location the flowers start coming in late spring to early summer and continue sporadically through the summer. Destined to be a lovely asset in the landscape, and a conversation piece for sure, at 6 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide El Nino is a fine accent in small to medium size spaces or in groupings where space will allow, though we do suggest spaced groupings so that each plant stands out on it's own. That said, you can create a hedge with it if you like, or remove lower branches to form a small tree, or grow it in a container. The choice is yours! Landscape & Garden Uses Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide, El Nino Desert Willow is ideal for use as a specimen or accent in smaller spaces, in containers, or in groupings or as a hedge where space allows. It is especially nice around patios, porches, decks and other outdoor living spaces where the beautiful and exotic scented flowers can be enjoyed from close up. Depending on your preference, you can grow it as a shrub, or, as it grows taller, remove lower branches to form a small tree. A fine addition to rock gardens, fragrance gardens, purple theme gardens, hummingbird and butterfly gardens, and near water gardens. Suggested Spacing: 4-5 feet apart for solid hedge; 10 feet or more apart for space between plants Growing Preferences El Nino Desert Orchid will grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average to even poor quality and full sun to part shade. It has moderate drought tolerance when established. As with so many other ornamental shrubs and trees, constantly wet soil can be problematic. Helpful Articles Plant as you would a Chaste Tree (Vitex)... How To Plant A Chaste Tree How To Fertilize, Prune & Water A Chaste Tree Plant Long & Prosper! Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff Questions? Contact Us!