Chitalpa El Niño™ Desert Orchid
- Buy 3 for $27.00 each and save 10%
Description / Chitalpa El Niño™ Desert Orchid
A Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrubs variety, Chitalpa El Niño™ Desert Orchid is a deciduous shrub or miniature tree that blooms in late spring/early summer, continuing sporadically throughout the summer. The fragrant, dark purple, pollinator-friendly flowers look very much like orchids and attract bees to the garden.
Chitalpa El Niño is an intergeneric hybrid of desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) and catalpa (Catalpa sp.), commonly called desert orchid. Its tolerance to poor soils and dry heat comes from Chilopsis, and its mildew resistance is attributed to Catalpa. Its compact, pyramidal habit of light-green leaves makes El Niño a gorgeous specimen, but it is shown to best effect when massed or grouped in beds, borders, and foundation plantings. It also makes a great screen or hedge.
Chitalpa El Niño grows best in sunny to partly sunny locations with well-draining soil. At the colder end of its hardiness range, it may die back to the ground in cold winters. Wait until new growth begins to emerge before removing any dead wood. Any desired pruning should be done in early spring.
A native hybrid, Chitalpa El Niño is indigenous to North America. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.
Product Details
SKU | 29324 |
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Item Form | 1-Quart |
Genus | x Chitalpa |
Species | hybrid |
Variety | 'NCXC1' |
Plant Patent | PPAF |
Product Classification | Shrubs |
Habit | Upright |
USDA Zone Low | 6 |
USDA Zone High | 9 |
Sun / Shade | Full Sun, Part Shade |
Bloom Color | Magenta |
Bloom Season Start | Early Summer |
Bloom Season End | Late Summer |
Foliage Color | Medium Green |
Resistance | Deer Resistance |
Special Features | Butterfly Lovers, Easy Care Plants, Fragrance |
Uses | Beds, Specimen |
Zone | 6, 7, 8, 9 |
State Shipping Restrictions | GU, HI, ID, PR, VI |
Customer Reviews
I planted both in full sun, fairly dry spots. We hand water pretty regularly. The spot with slightly more sun and better drainage did a little better than the other. That plant still has its leaves and we are in late December.
I’d guess the bigger of the two is about 24” after its first growing season. It bloomed early summer, then repeated again later summer. Blooms were abundant and very long lasting.
I’m excited to see what they do in coming growing seasons! I was very happy with their growth and bloom in this, their very first year!