{% assign use_variant_images = false %}
{% capture vertical_scroll %}{% endcapture %} {%- if use_variant_images and variant.images[0] -%} {%- assign images = variant.images -%} {%- else -%} {%- assign images = product.images -%} {%- endif -%}
{% assign last_slide = 0 %} {%- for image in images offset: imgOffset -%}
{% capture ImageResponsive %} {%- if image != blank -%} {%- if image.width > 180 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '180x' }} 180w {{ 180 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 360 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '360x' }} 360w {{ 360 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 540 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '540x' }} 540w {{ 540 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 720 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '720x' }} 720w {{ 720 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 900 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '900x' }} 900w {{ 900 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1080 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1080x' }} 1080w {{ 1080 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1296 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1296x' }} 1296w {{ 1296 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1512 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1512x' }} 1512w {{ 1512 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1728 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1728x' }} 1728w {{ 1728 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1944 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1944x' }} 1944w {{ 1944 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2160 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2160x' }} 2160w {{ 2160 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2376 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2376x' }} 2376w {{ 2376 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2592 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2592x' }} 2592w {{ 2592 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2808 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2808x' }} 2808w {{ 2808 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 3024 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '3024x' }} 3024w {{ 3024 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- assign image_size = image.width | append: 'x' -%} {{ image.src | img_url: image_size }} {{ image.width }}w {{ image.height }}h {%- endif -%} {% endcapture %}
{% if forloop.first or product.tags contains 'Graphic Overlay'%}
{% endif %}
{% assign last_slide = forloop.index %} {% endfor %}
{% assign last_slide = 0 %} {% assign imgOffset = 0 %} {% if product.tags contains 'Graphic Overlay' %} {% assign imgOffset = 1 %} {% endif %} {%- for image in images offset: imgOffset -%} {% capture thumbRepsonsive %} {%- if image != blank -%} {%- if image.width > 180 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '180x' }} 180w {{ 180 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 360 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '360x' }} 360w {{ 360 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 540 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '540x' }} 540w {{ 540 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 720 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '720x' }} 720w {{ 720 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 900 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '900x' }} 900w {{ 900 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1080 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1080x' }} 1080w {{ 1080 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1296 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1296x' }} 1296w {{ 1296 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1512 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1512x' }} 1512w {{ 1512 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1728 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1728x' }} 1728w {{ 1728 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 1944 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '1944x' }} 1944w {{ 1944 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2160 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2160x' }} 2160w {{ 2160 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2376 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2376x' }} 2376w {{ 2376 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2592 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2592x' }} 2592w {{ 2592 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 2808 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '2808x' }} 2808w {{ 2808 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- if image.width > 3024 -%}{{ image.src | img_url: '3024x' }} 3024w {{ 3024 | divided_by: image.aspect_ratio | round }}h,{%- endif -%} {%- assign image_size = image.width | append: 'x' -%} {{ image.src | img_url: image_size }} {{ image.width }}w {{ image.height }}h {%- endif -%} {% endcapture %}
{% assign last_slide = forloop.index %} {% endfor %}
El Niño 3D model
All media depicts mature plants.

El Niño® Chitalpa

SHRUB

Description

  • A truly unique option for your garden or landscape.
  • Intricate pink/purple flowers resemble orchids!
  • Flowers emit a delicious vanilla-melon fragrance.
  • Vigorous, heat-tolerant & deer-resistant.
  • Zones 6-9, sun to part sun, 10-15' tall x 8-10' wide at maturity. 
Zone 6-9
Light part sun/sun
tall

{% assign discount_amount = 0 %} {% if variant.price < variant.compare_at_price %} Sale {{- variant.price | minus: discount_amount | money | remove: ' ' -}}
{{- variant.compare_at_price | money | remove: ' ' -}} {% else %} {{- variant.price | money | remove: ' ' -}} {% endif %} Each
Total
{{ variant.price | times: variant.quantity | money | remove: ' ' }}
{% for option in product.options_with_values %} {% assign optionIndex = forloop.index0 %} {% assign position = forloop.index %}
{{option.name}}
{% assign sortedvalues = option.values %} {% if option.name contains 'Length' or option.name contains 'Width' or option.name contains 'Height' or option.name contains 'Depth' or option.name contains 'Thickness' or option.name contains 'Weight' %} {% assign sortedvalues = option.values | sort %} {% endif %} {% for value in sortedvalues %} {% assign inventory_quantity = 0 %} {% assign available = false %} {% assign optionVariant = false %} {% if product.options_with_values.size == 3 and optionIndex == 2%} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == variant.option1 and v.option2 == variant.option2 and v.option3 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% elsif product.options_with_values.size == 2 and optionIndex == 1%} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == variant.option1 and v.option2 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% else %} {% for v in product.variants %} {% unless v.bogus %} {% if v.option1 == value %} {% assign optionVariant = v %} {% assign inventory_quantity = inventory_quantity | plus: v.inventory_quantity %} {% if v.available %}{% assign available = true %}{% endif %} {% endif %} {% endunless %} {% endfor %} {% endif %} {% assign checked = "" %} {% if variant.options[optionIndex] == value%}{% assign checked = "checked" %}{% endif %} {% endfor %}
{% endfor %}
More Info on Plant Sizes

{% capture add_to_cart %}Neptune.cart.add({ id:{{ variant.id | json }}, quantity:{{ variant.quantity }}, properties:{ '_growingzone':['6a', '6b', '7a', '7b', '8a', '8b', '9a', '9b'] } }, '.atcprod-{{ variant.id }}', { quantity: {{ variant.quantity }}, image: '//www.greatgardenplants.com/cdn/shop/products/ChitalpaElNinoDSC08931-1080x1080-33e0fa6.png?v=1675699573', title: 'El Niño® Chitalpa', option: 'One Quart' }); return false;{% endcapture %} {% assign discontinued = '' %} {% for tag in product.tags %} {% if tag contains 'discontinued' %} {% assign discontinued = 'true' %} {% endif %} {% endfor %} {% if variant.available %} {% else %} {% unless discontinued == 'true' %} Notify Me When Available {% endunless %} {% endif %}
{% if error %}
{{error.description}}
{% endif %}
View Detailed Plant Information
↓

Plant Spacing

Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:

bush distance

Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:

bush distance zigzag
white plant in hand icon

Hand-picked at our greenhouse

white shipped to door icon

Shipped to your door

Young plant icon

Arrives as young plant

background image

More Information

Description Seeing is believing, and El Niño® desert orchid (×Chitalpa) is a shrub that must be seen – and smelled – to be believed! In summer, it blooms continuously, with spires of pink-purple flowers that look like orchids. They have a truly unique fragrance that’s a bit hard to describe, but most people we ask describe it as vanilla and ripe melon. Since it blooms in the summer, that sweet scent wafts on the warm breeze, perfuming the area and drawing you to it, making its unusual blooms all the better.

If you’ve never heard of Chitalpa before, you’re not alone! This is a new hybrid of two North American native trees: Chilopsis, also known as desert willow, and Catalpa, also known as cigar tree, Indian bean tree, or Catawba. These two species combine to create a heat tolerant, disease resistant shrub with the color and fragrance of the desert willow and the hardiness of the cigar tree. You already know we’re big fans of Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs around here, and this is one of the coolest and most original introductions we’ve ever seen from them. Details Botanical name: ×Chitalpa ‘NCXC1'
Patent #: PPAF
Common name: Desert orchid, chitalpa (pronounced chih-tal-pa)
Zone: 6-9
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ hours sun), part sun (4-6 hrs sun)
Height x width: 10-15’ x 8-10'
Flower color: Pink-purple, with bits of yellow
Foliage color: Green
Bloom season: Summer-fall
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Rare & unusual, Proven Winners, heat tolerant, dry soils, drought tolerant, deer resistant, best sellers, best for beginners
Uses: Background, border, foundation planting, hedge, ornamental, privacy, specimen
How To Grow Soil: Plant in any well-drained spot. Drought tolerant once established.
Light: Can grow in full to part sun; the hotter your climate, the more shade it can take. Full sun recommended in USDA zone 6.
Water: Low to average
Space: Min. 4' apart; further in more mild climates
Fertilizing: Fertilize in early spring, once the ground has thawed, with a granular rose fertilizer.
Winterizing: No special treatment is required in warmer areas; 2-3" of mulch is recommended in cooler climates. May die back to the ground in harsh winters in zone 6 but will regrow from the ground – give it plenty of time to re-emerge if this happens. Additional applications of fertilizer may help it recover more quickly once new growth begins to emerge.
Maintenance & Pruning: Little to no pruning required, but may be trimmed to take on the shape of a small tree if you wish. If the plant experiences winter dieback, wait until new growth begins to remove any dead or old wood.

Ideas & Inspo

Meet El Niño® Chitalpa: The New Must-Have Shrub For Your Garden

El Niño® chitalpa, or desert orchid, has been rapidly growing in popularity among gardeners, and for good reason. This new cultivar from Proven Winners ColorChoice shrubs is one of the most original hybrid shrubs to hit the market today. Find out more about growing El Niño® Chitalpa and why this unique deciduous shrub is taking the gardening industry by storm!

LEARN MORE
Beautiful purple orchid-like flowers from El Nino Chitalpa

Customer Reviews

Based on 31 reviews
74%
(23)
13%
(4)
10%
(3)
3%
(1)
0%
(0)
K
K.E.D. (Tennessee)
Excellent plants

Plants arrived in perfect condition. Bigger than I expected. Nice healthy color. Will definitely order other items. Highly recommend.

C
C.
Dormant Sticks Became Beautiful

I purchased 3 Chitalpas fall of 2024 and received my ‘little stick in pots’ as scheduled. I left them in the pots awhile before deciding to hold them over in a bed til spring. It was a rough winter so imagine my total surprise when I noticed all three were sprouting healthy leaves in March!! I planted 1 the center of 2 mirroring beds flanking an entrance walkway to a that will block sun on a hot west facing porch. And being deciduous they’ll allow the sun to warm the porch in winter. I cannot wait to have the aroma scenting the area while enjoying the flowers and the shade they provide. The 3rd is holding and growing well in a large pot for an undetermined location but leaning toward between the master bedroom/bathroom window area to enjoy. It shouldn’t be such a difficult decision which area gets the 3rd Chitalpa … so obviously I’m going to need more!!!

User picture
M
M.C. (South Carolina)
Hopeful

Just received, then planted them (2) about two weeks ago. Arrived in excellent, healthy shape and are doing well - still healthy and vibrant. Just a little too early to give a full review.

J
J.M. (Florida)
Off to the races!

It arrived properly trimmed down and has doubled in size so far! This poor little guy was manhandled by the carrier and I thought maybe it wouldn’t make it. Thankfully, I was wrong and it’s thriving. I’d been wanting to try this plant for awhile and I’m so happy I did.

L
L.S.

They did a great job shipping a very healthy plant.

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