Attributes:

The story sounds like something done under cover during the cold war. Two plants, each of a totally different genus, crossed in the USSR in the early sixties. One, Chilopsis linearis, dessert willow, a native of the American Southwest and Mexico; the other Catalpa bignonioides, Southern Catalpa a native of our own southeast.

The story is actually true, and we now have another tree that blooms in our summer heat that is easy to grow in our climate.

Chitalpa, like a mule, is sterile, so there is no worry of it invading our woodlands or overtaking our gardens. Mature height is about 25' to 30', with a fairly open habit. It can be grown as a single trunk specimen or multi-trunked, similar to a crepe myrtle.

Foliage is medium green, matte in texture, fairly similar to willow oak. Flowers resemble those of streptocarpus. The variety ‘Pink Dawn' has light pink flowers with a yellow throat, while ‘Morning Cloud' is white to pale pink, with some purple streaks in its throat. Flowers usually are borne in clusters of 6 or more blossoms.

Flowering period is late April or early May through October, giving it one of the longest blooming seasons of any woody plant we can grow. Hardy in zones 7 to 9. Memphis is in zone 7.

Growing Tips:

Chitalpa seems to very adaptable, preferring full sun, but accepting some shade. It does best in fertile soil with adequate drainage and average moisture conditions.

Container grown plants move best in spring, before growth commences, or in early fall, before we have had appreciable cold weather.

Mildew can sometimes be a problem, so try to locate where there is good air movement and avoid water on the foliage late in the day.

Landscape Tips:

This is a small tree, so it would be a good choice as a specimen in a sunny city garden. It could also be used in the background of a mixed shrub border, adding some color during the summer.

It is fairly informal in appearance, so it would probably be hard to incorporate into a very formal setting.

Cost and Availability:

Available at local nurseries that carry unusual plants. Expect to pay at least $25.00 for a 2-gallon plant.

Rick Pudwell, director of horticulture at Memphis Botanic Garden, reports that Catalpa can be seen blooming in the south end of the parking lot at Memphis Botanic Garden, near the Horticulture Center.