Species Morning Cloud Chitalpa
white flowers with purple-yellow center, yellow fruits, green leaves and lime stems

Morning Cloud Chitalpa

Chitalpa 'Morning Cloud'

The Morning Cloud Chitalpa—with its stunning multicolored foliage of sunny yellow and deep, vibrant rose—is an amazing sight! Its unique beauty combines the best of the Chitalpa tree and the Desert Willow. This drought-tolerant tree can withstand both cold weather and full sun, blooming with a profusion of white, lilac-tinged bells that attract butterflies and sweetly scent the air. Its cascading branches are as eye-catching as its blooms, with its interesting textured, furrowed bark and grey-green foliage. An easily maintained member of the Bignoniaceae family, the Morning Cloud Chitalpa is sure to become a staple of any garden with its low maintenance and eye-catching beauty.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Water the Chitalpa 'Morning Cloud' at least once a week during the growing season. Water deeply; providing enough water for the roots to reach down into the soil. When the weather is especially hot, water more often to prevent the soil from becoming excessively dry. Reduce watering downwards during the late summer and fall to allow the plant to go into dormancy. However, do not stop watering completely until the plant has gone dormant.

sunlight

Morning Cloud Chitalpa (Chitalpa 'Morning Cloud') requires full-sun for 6 to 8 hours a day, preferably in the morning and early afternoon. In areas of intense sunlight, it will benefit from some afternoon shade. While it can tolerate partial shade, Morning Cloud Chitalpa will not flower as profusely and may not grow as vigorously. Planting in areas of indirect sunlight or filtered shade will ensure the best performance.

pruning

Pruning should be done on Morning Cloud Chitalpa twice a year, in early spring and late summer, to encourage new growth and keep the shrub looking neat. Prune in early spring to remove dead and damaged branches and shape the shrub. Prune in late summer to reduce the overall size of the plant. The amount of pruning each year should be minimal, no more than 1-third of the total growth. Remove only the dead and damaged branches and shape the shrub as much as possible without pruning too heavily.

Hardiness Map