Plant Library

Brand:  Monrovia

Description:

A multi-stemmed selection that can be trained to a single trunk; fragrant, long blooming, burgundy-pink blooms in late spring; gracefully weeping pods follow, and persist into winter; drought tolerant, watering should be deep and infrequent

Ornamental Features

Burgundy Desert Willow features showy clusters of burgundy trumpet-shaped flowers with pink overtones, gold throats and white stripes at the ends of the branches from late spring to late summer. The fruits are showy grayish green pods with white overtones, which are carried in abundance from mid summer to late winter. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up. It has emerald green deciduous foliage. The narrow leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color.

Landscape Attributes

Burgundy Desert Willow is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Self-Seeding

Burgundy Desert Willow is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Hedges/Screening
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Burgundy Desert Willow will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Burgundy Desert Willow is a fine choice for the yard, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.