The Chitalpa is a Unique tree with Deep Roots in History and Horticulture
Background
Commonly planted in North Texas, the Chitalpa tree (x Chitalpa tashkentensis) happens to be a no-so-common intergeneric hybrid that combines two unlikely Texas native parent species: the desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) and the southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides). This rare cross between two plants from different genera—both from the Bignoniaceae family—remarkably originated in Tashkent, Uzbekistan! (at that time part of the Soviet Union) In botanical Latin, “tashkentensis” signifies "originating in Tashkent" and this tree lives up to its name-- having been created at the Tashkent Botanical Garden, along with several other notable Texas native hybrids.
From Uzbekistan with Love
Behind the Chitalpa’s creation was the talented botanist Nikolay Rusanov, who in 1964 achieved this rare hybrid by cross-pollinating Chilopsis (desert willow) and the Southern catalpa. Interestingly, Nikolay’s father, Fedor Rusanov, was also a pioneer in plant breeding! Fedor is known for his work on the now famed cold tolerant perennial “hardy hibiscus” hybrids-- using species like the Texas natives Hibiscus laevis and H. moscheutos (with H.c occineus, commonly known as 'Texas Star' hibiscus). The senor Rusanov also worked to develop yucca hybrids (from Texas natives Yucca filamentosa × Yucca glauca) in what was likely the 1950’s.
Gone to Texas
After its creation, Chitalpa wasn’t introduced to the United States in 1977! (through the efforts of Robert Hebb at the New York Botanical Garden) By 1991, Thomas Elias and Walter Wisura of the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden officially named the hybrid Chitalpa tashkentensis, giving us both of its popular cultivars: ‘Pink Dawn’ and ‘Morning Cloud’
A Perfect Combo
Perhaps this legacy of innovation brought about Chitalpa’s wonderful defining characteristics. It’s leaves are a combination of the narrow, desert-adapted leaves of desert willow—though slightly broader a characteristic from the larger heart-shaped catalpa leaves. The blooms of the Chitalpa produce copious amounts of larger desert willow-like pink to white flowers with a long bloom season that stretches from spring to fall! This hybrid produces no viable seeds and must be propagated through cuttings or root sprouts, which has contributed to its controlled habit and preservation as an ornamental tree. The standard Chitalpas typically reach about 20 to 25 feet in height and width, making it ideal as a smaller shade tree suitable for urban landscapes, thriving in the tough clay and alkaline soils of North Texas. Its drought tolerance and heat endurance come from the desert willow parent, while the larger showy flowers (that attract native hummingbirds and pollinators) are a gift from its catalpa heritage. In addition to its tolerance for challenging soils and climates, the Chitalpa’s long flowering season, pest resistance, and low maintenance needs have made it a favorite among North Texas landscape designers and gardeners alike. A rare feat of botanical ingenuity, the Chitalpa is an ideal choice for gardeners in hot, dry climates seeking an attractive, manageable shade tree that supports local wildlife, while standing up to summer heat and periods of low rainfall. Its legacy, rooted in the work of generations of horticultural innovators, makes it a testament to the beauty that can result when horticultural art meets science!
An Exciting NEW Introduction!
The newest cultivar in the Chitalpa family, 'El Niño', brings a unique combination of ornamental beauty and compactness to the garden. This cultivar, also known as the “Desert Orchid,” offers a smaller stature than other Chitalpas, reaching only about 10-12 feet in height and 8-10 feet in width. This makes it an ideal choice for gardeners looking for a flexible, functional plant that can be grown both as a large shrub or a small tree. El Niño is versatile in both residential and commercial settings, adding a stunning focal point with fragrant, orchid-like flowers that bloom in shades of deeper pink from spring through fall. Like the standard Chitalpas, gardeners can appreciate El Niño not only for its beauty but also for its resilience to heat, drought and poor soils. Its dense foliage and fragrant blooms also attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, enhancing its value in a wildlife-friendly garden. Another practical benefit is its deer resistance, making it truly a low-maintenance addition!