Re: Chilopsis linearis and cultivars

Hi All,
Thanks for the valuable advice re. Desert Willow.

As Nick points out, the "improved" cultivars are not necessarily an improvement to everyone.  
The seeds are eaten by birds, but looking over old photos I've taken, a leafless winter Chilopsis in full seed is like a grey cloud in the landscape; they really look better after the pods have dropped.

The tree will be a focal point in the garden, so it needs to look good even in winter.  Monrovia Nursery (conveniently located in state, thus avoiding expensive freight or quarantine restrictions) grows a variety called 'Monhews'.  Bearing large deep lavender-pink flowers over a long season, with few seed pods produced, it sounds like a winner.  

I may plant the straight species in a less prominent location, where the birds can enjoy it and the pods won't be so front-and-center in the garden.

Thanks again,
Ben Armentrout-Wiswall
Simi Valley, CA




From: Nicholas Thayer <lateafternoon@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
To: CA-NATIVES@MAIL.CALYPTEANNA.COM
Sent: Thu, October 7, 2010 12:16:19 PM
Subject: Re: Chilopsis linearis and cultivars

Just a gentle reminder that the "seedless" forms would remove some of the wildlife value.  Humming Birds would still be happy though. It depends on your reasoning to plant natives in the first place, beauty for humans, or value for wildlife.  I like both.

I have used the cultivar 'Rio Salado' in an SE Arizona project before with great success.  They grew very quickly with water.  I think we found at Mountain States Wholesale Nursery.  They would be a good source of info anyways.

Best, N

Nicholas Thayer
www.lateafternoon.com
707-462-5133 office
707-362-0680 mobile



On Oct 7, 2010, at 7:59 AM, Nan Sterman wrote:

HI Ben

Great choice!  I'm attracted to the "seedless" or almost seedless varieties as they seem to become less "messy" (whatever that means).  If that isn't an issue for you, just find the one with the prettiest flowers.  Rancho Santa Ana has a fabulous collection of them though their location is a bit obscure.  If they are still in bloom, it would be well worth a trip out there to see which one's bloom you prefer.  Flower colors range from deep pink to soft pink to hot pink and many multi-colored combos.

Mine is just now topping about 6 feet after three years in the ground from a 5 gallon can.


On Oct 6, 2010, at 11:48 PM, Ben Wiswall wrote:

> Hi All,
> I'm planning on buying a couple of Chilopsis linearis.  I'm wondering if I
> should buy the straight species (hopefully with still a few flowers on them so I
> know what color I'm getting), or should I go through the trouble of finding one
> of the dizzying number of cultivars available from nurseries in desert regions.
>
> Does anyone have experience with the straight species?  Do you wish you had
> bought an improved cultivar instead?
> Has anyone had experience with one of the Chilopsis cultivars?  Is it worth
> going the extra mile to get one?
>
> Thanks,
> Ben Armentrout-Wiswall
> Simi Valley
>
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