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Chilopsis linearis 'Purple Splendor' (Desert Willow) blooms with beautiful magenta-purple flowers for over a month in the summer, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Its narrow leaves are long and willow-like, giving it a light, airy look. By early autumn the flowers fade and form slender seed pods, which dangle from the tree during winter. Plant this deer-resistant shrub near your home to create filtered shade for hot patios, low-water lawns, and courtyards, and to enjoy the sweet fragrance of the flowers.
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low
temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will
survive the winter temperatures in your area.
If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack
of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).
Chilopsis linearis 'Purple Splendor' (Desert Willow) may be grown as a large shrub or small tree, adding year-round interest to a waterwise yard. It grows quickly to 10 feet tall, thereafter the growth will slow, and can be pruned to maintain a more compact form. Summer flowers are 1.5-2 inches long and arrive in deep rich purple, sometimes dashed with yellow or white. Sweetly fragrant, they will bloom for over a month, and they are true pollinator magnets. Native through the California deserts into Mexico, and east to Texas, Desert Willows are typically found at an elevation of 2000-5000 feet. Not a true willow, they are more closely related to Catalpa Trees and Trumpet Vine. Plant in average to low fertility soil that drains well, in a full sun location. Water Chilopsis as needed to establish, thereafter be careful not to over-water. In colder zones, it is recommended to plant them in the spring, so the roots have ample time to establish.
More Information
SKU
HC018022
Item Package Size
Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Common Name
Purple Splendor Desert Willow
Botanical Name
Chilopsis linearis 'Purple Splendor'
Zones
6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Flower Color
Purple
Mature Height
20' tall
Mature Spread
12-18' wide
Bloom Time
Summer
Ships As
Potted Plant
Soil Type
Average Soil, Sandy Soil, Low Fertility Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Soil Moisture
Very Waterwise, Waterwise
Advantages
Attract Butterflies, Attract Hummingbirds, Attract Birds, Deer Resistant, Native, Extended Bloom Time (more than 4 weeks), Fragrant Flower / Foliage, Good Rockgarden Or Alpine Plant
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Ships To Canada
No
Planting Guides
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) is a native tree with showy, nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds. Its small size allows it to fit easily into smaller yards and under power lines. Excellent for rain gardens, the plants are equally comfortable standing in water for a few days or sitting bone dry for weeks on end.
'Conchas Dam Pink,' 'Hope' and 'Lucretia Hamilton' Desert Willow are cold hardy into zone 5.
Lucretia Hamilton'™ with lovely, burgundy flowers is equally cold hardy and a compact grower for patios and tight spaces.
Our Desert Willow selections are very cold tolerant. But they are best grown in the West, Southwest, southern Great Plains and Texas in areas with good summer heat (temperatures in the 90s °F or higher). Chilopsis is worth trying in the mid-Atlantic states in very fast draining, sandy soil. Not suitable for the Mid-West or Northeastern US.
To get established in USDA zones 5 & 6, they must be planted in spring or early summer, not in the fall. Protect your new plants over their first winter or two in your garden. Cover each plant with a generous pile of clean straw or pine needles. This allows the plant's crown (junction of root and branches) to mature and obtain maximum cold hardiness.
In zone 5 climates (edge of their cold hardiness): plant them in a wide, shallow depression that will fill in with soil after a few seasons. This increases their cold hardiness by gradually sinking the crown more deeply into the soil.
Pruning: In zones 8-10, winter is an excellent time to prune because there will not be any winter die back. In colder regions (zones 5-7), Chilopsis will sometimes have some winter kill and its best to let the plant leaf out (typically in late spring) and remove any winter damaged branches that don't leaf out; then thinning of cross branches and shaping can be done. Rarely Chilopsis will freeze back to the ground. If this occurs, it's best to let the plant re-sprout from the roots before pruning off dead branches.View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
Zone
Shipping Status
Zone 2
Now Shipping
Zone 3
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Zone 4
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Zone 5
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Zone 6
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Zone 7
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Zone 8
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Zone 9
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Zone 10
Now Shipping
As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat. The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.
Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.
Shipping Rates
Our shipping rates are calculated based on our actual average shipping costs. We do not seek to profit from shipping fees, so rest assured that our shipping rates reflect an average of what it costs to get our guaranteed products safely to your door.
US Shipping Charges
Merchandise Total
Shipping Charges
Up to $19.99
$8.99
$20 to $34.99
$10.99
$35 to $49.99
$12.99
$50 to $74.99
$14.99
$75 to $99.99
$16.99
$100 and Over
$18.99
Canadian Shipping Charges
Merchandise
Shipping Charges
Up to $24.99
$14.95
$25 to $49.99
$19.95
$50 to $74.99
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$29.95
$100 and Over
$39.95
We charge one low flat rate for shipping our products even if your order requires multiple shipments. If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 925-9387.
 blooms with beautiful magenta-purple flowers for over a month in the summer, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Its narrow leaves are long and willow-like, giving it a light, airy look. By early autumn the flowers fade and form slender seed pods, which dangle from the tree during winter. Plant this deer-resistant shrub near your home to create filtered shade for hot patios, low-water lawns, and courtyards, and to enjoy the sweet fragrance of the flowers.)
