desert willow

Desert willow can be watered once every 2 weeks, using about 10 gallons of water each time. It enjoys full sun and can tolerate temperatures as low as 15°F, making it a great choice for outdoor planting in warm climates. Water deeply and deeply enough to saturate the root zone. Make sure to water the entire root zone evenly, not just the surface. Water slowly so the plant can absorb the moisture, and don’t allow standing water. Once established, desert willow is fairly drought tolerant, so don’t water too often.

Desert willow (Chilopsis linearis var. linearis) typically requires full sun during its growing season. However, it can tolerate some partial shade, especially during its hottest and driest periods in summer. When growing in areas where temperatures don't rise above 77 ºF (25°C) from spring through summer, the plant tends to perform best with 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. In hotter climates, however, desert willow should be given some relief from the intense midday sun, such as the dappled afternoon shade found under tall evergreen trees.

Prune desert willow (Chilopsis linearis var. linearis) beginning in late winter and early spring for the best results. Trim away dead and unhealthy branches and any crossing or rubbing branches to encourage healthy growth. Prune away any branches blocking walkways or access to the home to increase safety. You can also cut back strategically to create a fuller and attractive silhouette for the tree, focusing on the emerging new growth near the trunk and end of the branches. Prune anywhere from 10 to 25 percent of the growth annually.