I am so happy I ordered the El Nino Chitalpa! I ordered a small one going on 3 years ago. It had 3 stalks and looked very healthy. When I planted it in full sun in our clay soil, I was careful to add Plant Tone in the hole and watered frequently that first year. Wow! The growth that first year was incredible!!!! It surpassed my expectations! Last year another shoot showed up at the base of the plant and this year there are a couple more! It even flowered some that first year which I did not expect at all. We have had a true Spring this year with extended cool temps and little rain. I have supplemented watering and it is currently loaded with flower buds! I have not pruned it at all. I think Laura of Garden Answer prunes hers but honestly if it ain't broke,....LOL Laura was the one who introduced me to the El Nino. Thanks for that Proven Winners! I am so happy with the El Nino Chitalpa. It really is easy to grow and such a delightful plant!
El Niño® Desert Orchid Chitalpa
- Part Sun to Sun
- Sun
- Summer
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120 - 180 Inches96 - 120 Inches96 - 120 Inches3.0m - 4.6m2.4m - 3.0m2.4m - 3.0m
Features
This plant is practically a unicorn, combining the best qualities of two unique plants - desert willow and catalpa. This resulted in absolutely lovely flowers that somehow look both like orchids and snapdragons, but are way easier to care for than either of those plants. You’ll get to enjoy these sweetly scented blooms starting in late spring or early summer, depending on where you live, and then sporadically throughout the summer.
Fragrant FlowerLong BloomingResists:DeerCharacteristics
Plant Type:ShrubShrub Type:DeciduousHeight Category:MediumGarden Height:120 - 180 Inches 3.0m - 4.6mSpacing:96 - 120 Inches 2.4m - 3.0mSpread:96 - 120 Inches 2.4m - 3.0mFlower Colors:PurpleFoliage Colors:GreenFoliage Shade:Light greenHabit:MoundedContainer Role:ThrillerPlant Needs
Light Requirement:Part Sun to SunLight Requirement:SunThe optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).
Maintenance Category:EasyBlooms On:New WoodBloom Time:SummerHardiness Zones:6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9bWater Category:AverageNeeds Good DrainageSoil Fertility Requirement:Average SoilUses:Border PlantUses:ContainerUses:LandscapeUses:Mass PlantingUses Notes:Adds fragrance to any place it is planted.
Maintenance Notes:Prune to shape in early spring, just as the new growth is beginning to emerge.
El Niño® Chitalpa 'NCXC1' USPP 35,880 -
5343231Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
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Rachel Henderson, Tennessee, United States, 1 min ago
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I was sooo excited for this plant, it struggled last year, and didn't bloom. I was hoping to see it do well this year and bloom but I think it's dead. I will wait and see, I am not sure when it's supposed to start growing, like if it comes out late or not, I hope it's not dead!
julia dillaman, Pennsylvania, United States, 3 weeks ago -
I purchased 4 of these last year in the one quart containers. I planted three and gave one to my sister, none of them grew or bloomed last year. This year they have put on some growth, but still no blooms. Like the other reviewer, I've seen the garden influencers raving about this plant, but have been disappointed with my result. I've seen some in the 5 gallon containers at the garden centers now that have blooms, so I know they can in my area....Maybe next year...
Sara, California, United States, 32 weeks ago -
Zone 7. I purchased two one quart Containers El Nińo one year ago. I watch gardening influencers and they all can’t get over how the El Nińo they planted THIS summer have turned into large shrubs. I’ve observed the ones that Proven Winners ships to them are giant size. The ones I received were puny. The two I have are still one stalk and no flowers. I hope I’m still around when they finally bloom. I see that they are no longer sold in quart size. I can’t afford the $55 size. I would think that the only size worth buying would be a 3 gallon. I’m sorry for a negative review but it’s frustrating.
Debra Fornaro, New York, United States, 36 weeks ago -
I bought 3 of this plant last year. They're thriving in Arizona's summer heat, but they need every day watering when temperatures are above 110°F and consistently over a period of 2 or 3 months. Two El Nino chitalpas are flowering right now since at beginning of July. Slightly fragrant. The one in the afternoon shade is reaching about 5 feet since June but not flowering yet.
thu-ha trinh, Arizona, United States, 40 weeks ago -
I am in a zone 5b/border 6a. This plant grew from a 12 " quart to a 5–6-foot branched tree in one season. The branches are leafing out even though we had -20 temperature a few months ago. Excited to see what it will do this summer. Beautiful specimen!
Kate, Nebraska, United States, 2 years ago
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