Here are its basic care requirements.
You will notice a marked lack of blooms in shady conditions.
Water
Once established, the desert willow can readily tolerate dry conditions and droughts with ease.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
It will look as if it is suffering then rebound after the next storm or watering.
This shrub is a great selection forxeriscaping.
Consider mimicking these conditions with the use of pavers, stone, boulders, and soilless growing medium.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Fertilizer
Desert willow is one plant that you should not fertilize.
Some like ‘Lucretia Hamilton’ allow those further north in the U.S. to be able to grow this tree.
The choice is all about the shrub’s intended function and your desired aesthetic.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Propagating Desert Willow
it’s possible for you to propagate desert willows by cuttings or seeds.
Propagating Desert Willow by Seed
Propagating desert willow by seed is the preferred and easiest method.
This is great in cases of cultivars that do not produce seeds.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
How Long does Desert Willow Bloom?
Individual blooms of the Desert willow will last for a day or two before deteriorating.
What does Desert Willow’s Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
These plants are known for their showy blooms.
They cluster on branch tips and vary in color from pinkish-white to purple.
They can have yellow spots or stripes inside the blossoms, which are trumpet-shaped and about an inch long.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The flowers have a fragrance described as sweet and attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Allow the plant to dry out between waterings to encourage profuse flowering.
Avoid overwatering and do not supplement with fertilizer, as this will result in overgrowth but not more flowers.
This will encourage more branching and blooming during the next season.
Common Problems with Desert Willow
The hardiness of this shrub results in very few problems.
If a desert willow is struggling it’s normally related to watering issues.
Wilting and Yellowing Leaves
This is a telltale sign that the shrub is receiving too much water.
The soil should be dry to the touch and not holding water.
This is why common names are confusing.
The flowers of the desert willow look like trumpet flowers.
No, luckily the roots are not known to be destructive and are quite fibrous.
you could safely plant desert willows near driveways, sidewalks, and structures.
How large a desert willow grows depends on where it’s planted.
Galveston Island Tree Conservancy.
United States Department of Agriculture.
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.
