Chitalpa

×Chitalpa tashkentensis

Light

Water

Moderate water in Phoenix; irrigate deeply and let the upper soil dry between waterings. Water regularly during establishment and provide supplemental deep watering during prolonged summer heat.

Size

20-30 ft tall × 20-30 ft wide

Habit

Upright tree – multi-trunk

Toxicity

Not Established

Description

A heat-tolerant flowering tree developed by crossing desert willow and southern catalpa, with narrow leaves and showy clusters of orchid-like flowers.

Bloom Time

Late spring through summer

Deciduous / Evergreen

Deciduous

Special Features

Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Attracts Hummingbirds, Drought Tolerant, Heat Tolerant

Growth Rate

Moderate to fast

Growth Habit

Upright tree – multi-trunk

Mature Size

20-30 ft tall × 20-30 ft wide

Flower Color

Pink to white with lavender veining

Foliage Color

Medium green

Landscape Use

Container / Patio, Shade Tree, Specimen / Accent

Garden Style

Pollinator / Wildlife

Soil

Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained

Companion Plants

Autumn sage, Desert marigold, Red yucca, Texas sage, Trailing lantana

Not Established

Not established — verify

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun; tolerates light shade but flowers best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

Water: Moderate water in Phoenix; irrigate deeply and let the upper soil dry between waterings. Water regularly during establishment and provide supplemental deep watering during prolonged summer heat.

Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates sandy, loamy, and alkaline soils. Avoid waterlogged sites.

Mature size: 20–30 feet tall and 20–30 feet wide.

Bloom: Late spring through summer, often repeating into fall; flowering may slow during extreme heat.

Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.

Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate irrigation.