Desert Willow, Chilopsis Linearis, Tree/shrub 30 Seeds (Showy Flowers) QTY: 30 SEEDS If you are looking for a pretty, fast growing, shrub or small tree for a drought tolerant garden with great big dramatic flowers put Sweet Desert Willow on your planting list. Native to Southwest U.S. and Northern Mexico, Desert Willow is a small, deciduous tree or shrub, often with a leaning, twisting trunk and open, spreading crown, growing 15 to 40 feet. It has narrow, bright green, willow-like leaves and colorful, trumpet shaped flowers. Leaves are both opposite and alternate, 4 to 12 inches long and 1/3 inch wide. The blossom is funnel-shaped, Catalpa-like, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, spreading at the opening into 5 ruffled, petal-like lobes. Flower colors range from white to purple, often with white or yellow and purple streaks within the throat. The flowers are borne in terminal racemes and continually flowers over a 5 month period. By early autumn, the violet-scented flowers, which appear after summer rains, are replaced by slender, long dangling, seedpods with cottony down, 6 to 10 inches long. Birds will eat the seeds and bees and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers. During the cold season, Desert Willow will shed its leaves for up to six months. In summer, few trees can rival the beauty of flowering Desert Willow. Named for its resemblance to willows, it is not actually a true willow tree. This popular ornamental tree is actually related to Catalpa trees. Its exotic-looking blooms, rapid growth, drought tolerance and ease of maintenance have made it a sought after plant within its range. Adapted to desert washes, it does best with just enough water to keep it blooming and healthily green through the warm months. They look dramatic planted in rows, try them along a driveway or against a back fence in the landscape. Make sure you can see them from your window and enjoy the flowers. Leaf: Alternate and opposite or whorled, linear, often slightly curved, 3 to 5 inches long, 1/4 to 3/8 inches wide, green above. Flower: Attractive, bell shaped, 1 inch long, white to pale lavender with purple and yellow streaks inside throat, appear in long clusters at the ends of twigs in late spring and summer.