Desert willow

Long-lived deciduous shrub to tree up to 40 ft. tall with large showy white, pink or lavender trumped shaped flowers, blooming April to October. Not a true willow. Drought and heat tolerant, occurring on most well-drained soils, including acidic and alkaline sites. Dominant in dry desert washes, riverbanks, seasonally wet arroyos and other sites with available ground water; up to 6,000 ft. elevation. Remarkably cold hardy. Vigorous root sprouter after wildfire. Used for restoration, wildlife cover, wind breaks and as an ornamental in xeriscaping. Grows quickly with supplemental irrigation. Used by numerous birds for seeds and nest habitat. Nectar attracts native bees, pollinating insects and various hummingbirds, including the Broad-billed, Costa's and Lucifer hummingbirds. Caterpillar host of the Seraph moth and the moth Eucaterva variaria.