El Niño® Desert Orchid (Chitalpa)
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Meet El Niño® Desert Orchid—a bold newcomer born from an unlikely botanical romance between desert willow and catalpa. The result? A totally original, totally mesmerizing plant that brings orchid-level glamour with none of the maintenance.
Each spring, it bursts into dreamy clusters of orchid-like blooms, scented with a sweet, earthy perfume that turns heads (and noses). And just when you think the show’s over, it surprises you with encore blooms throughout summer. Its foliage is just as compelling—narrow yet lush, a perfect harmony of its parents’ contrasting styles. And it stays sharp and spotless, even in steamy, sun-baked conditions.
But here’s the kicker: unlike its orchid namesake, El Niño is tough. We’re talking poor soil? No problem. Blazing heat? Bring it on. Deer? They’ll pass. All it asks for is a sunny spot and a little patience as it is slow to wake up in spring.
- 10-15 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide at maturity
- Hardy in zones 6-9, be sure to check your USDA zone to ensure success
- Plant in part to full sun (4+ hours daily)
- Space plants 8-10 feet apart for best results
- Produces fragrant, orchid-like purple flowers in spring and then periodically throughout summer
- Maintains green foliage from spring to frost
- Great for borders, hedges, landscapes, mass planting or as a focal point
- Blooms on new and old wood
- Resists deer
- Heat tolerant, long blooming
Care: Pruning each spring is recommended, as it ensures the flowers form all over the plant instead of just at the distant tips.
Shipping Info:
- Enjoy free shipping on orders over $175
- Size at shipping varies by season, plant, and trimming schedules
- Quart shrubs are 5-8 in. at the time of shipment
- 1 Gallon shrubs are 6-24 in. at the time of shipment
- Shrubs shipped Nov-Apr will arrive dormant; shrubs shipped Apr-Oct will arrive green or in bloom
