{"slug":"chilopsis-linearis","scientific_name":"Chilopsis linearis","common_names":["Desert willow","Flowering willow","Mimbre"],"family":"Bignoniaceae","type":"broadleaf_deciduous","mature_height_m":6,"mature_spread_m":5,"growth_rate":"fast","lifespan_years":100,"hardiness_zones":[7,11],"sun":"full","water":"low","soil":"Well-drained; rocky, sandy, caliche or limestone soils; intolerant of wet soil","native_range":"Desert Southwest from south-central Texas west to southern California and northern Mexico","description":"Not a true willow but a relative of trumpet vine, with long narrow leaves and fragrant pink-to-white orchid-like flowers from late spring through fall that hummingbirds love. It grows fast to 15-25 feet with an airy, often crooked multi-trunked form and casts light shade. Excellent for hot, dry, sunny spots.","care":"Plant in full sun and well-drained soil; let the soil dry between waterings, since too much water and fertilizer give weak growth and fewer flowers. Prune in the first few years toward one or a few trunks, and cut back lightly in winter to encourage new flowering wood. Remove suckers and spent pods if you want a tidier look.","benefits":["flowers","pollinators","drought_tolerant","small_space","erosion_control","fast_canopy"],"uses":["small_yard","street_tree","parks"],"cautions":["none"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2.jpg","image_credit":"Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons","sources":["https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/CHLI2","https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHLI2","https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/chilopsis-linearis/","https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/desert-willow","https://www.treefolks.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NeighborWoodsTreeMenu-2026.pdf","https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/chilin/all.html"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/chilopsis-linearis","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/chilopsis-linearis.md","regions":[{"country":"US","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Also native in: AZ, CA (USDA PLANTS distribution)","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/CHLI2"},{"country":"US","region":"NM","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/CHLI2"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/CHLI2"},{"country":"US","region":"AZ","locality":"Phoenix","status":"recommended","note":"On the SRP Shade Tree Program tree list","source_url":"https://www.srpnet.com/energy-savings-rebates/home/shade-tree-workshop"},{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":"Los Angeles","status":"recommended","note":"On the City Plants (Los Angeles) Street Tree Species List","source_url":"https://www.cityplants.org/street-tree-species-list/"},{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":"Sacramento","status":"recommended","note":"On the Sacramento Tree Foundation Shady 80 recommended trees list","source_url":"https://sactree.org/best-trees-for-sacramento/"},{"country":"US","region":"CA","locality":"San Jose","status":"recommended","note":"On the Our City Forest Community Nursery tree species list","source_url":"https://www.ourcityforest.org/nursery-species"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":"Austin","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). Listed as 'Desert Willow'; very low water needs, provide well-drained soil.","source_url":"https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/desert-willow"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":"Dallas","status":"recommended","note":"On the City of Dallas Article X Approved Tree List","source_url":"https://dallas.gov/departments/sustainabledevelopment/buildinginspection/DCH%20documents/pdf/BI_Approved%20Tree%20List.pdf"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}