Desert willow
Chilopsis linearis
Orchid-like flowers all summer; hummingbirds keep office hours there.
Hardiness: zones 7 to 9
Light: full sun
Size: about 20 ft tall, 20 ft wide
From: SW North America
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: pollinators, wildlife.
Native to: Desert Southwest, Great Plains & Texas, California. Hardy in zones 7 to 9.
The story
Desert willow is no willow. It is a catalpa cousin that lines dry washes from Texas to California, and it only borrows the long narrow leaves. Its flowers look like small orchids and smell faintly of violets.
Planting
Full sun, heat and drained soil. It needs a hot summer to bloom well.
Growing
Deep, occasional water in summer keeps the flowers coming. Prune in winter to shape; it blooms on new growth.
Harvest and use
Flowers from May to September for hummingbirds and carpenter bees. The long seed pods rattle in winter and feed finches.
What to watch for
Soggy soil. It is bare and twiggy in winter, which is normal.
See if Desert willow fits your yard
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home