Chitalpa tashkentensis
chi-TAL-pa tosh-ken-TEN-sis

Chitalpa
Bignoniaceae (Bignonia family)
Origin: Hybrid of 2 North American species

Species characteristics:
Form -Deciduous. Informal, floriferous, rapidly growing medium-sized tree, spreading or slightly upright to 25', with equal spread. Ascending branches form broadly oval crowns.

Trunk -Smooth light gray becoming darker and roughened with age.

Foliage -Narrow pointed, 4 to 7" leaves are prominently veined on undersides.

Flowers/fruit -Abundant compact terminal clusters of 15- 40 large 1" Catalpa-type flowers from white to pink bloom over a very long season, May to November. Flowers at 3 to 4 years of age. Does not produce pods, as do both parents, since it is a sterile hybrid.

Cultivars -'Morning Cloud', an upright and vigorous tree with very pale pink to white flowers. 'Pink Dawn' is smaller with light pink flowers and more spreading growth.

A significant pest problem may be powdery mildew.

Site suitability:
Sunset zones: 3 -24.

Clearances -Suitable for 3' minimum parkways, medians or cutouts. Suitable under utility lines.

Good for street sides, medians, parks and lawns.

Culture considerations:
Drought tolerant, single-trunked tree often producing sprouts at base. Best flowering with high heat. Flowers are not a pedestrian hazard. Tolerant of high winds. Shelter from ocean winds at seacoast exposures.

Comments, notes:
Hybrid between Catalpa and Chilopsis species.