Chitalpa is a best choice for leafy shade, summer blooms
The Chitalpa (Chitalpa x tashkentensis) is one of the best trees for a hot, dry climate. This hybrid of the desert willow and the catalpa tree needs little water after it is established, blooms for months on end, and provides dappled shade.
These trees are very fast growing in a hot, dry climate. After 4 years of good horticultural care these young Chitalpa trees have almost doubled in height from their original size as “whips” and are on their way to a mature height of 25 to 30 feet.
The Chitalpa tree has beautiful pink, white or pale lavender blooms for months on end which hummingbirds love and, better yet, is very drought tolerant. And unlike their “parent”, the desert willow, they are not messy trees.
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