xChitalpa tashkentensis

xChitalpa is an intergenerica hybrid in the Bignoniaceae family, bred by crossing plants from 2 different genera, the desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) for desert hardiness and color, and southern catalpa (Catalpa bignoides) for larger blooms. Such intergenerica hybrid are specially designated by placing an "x" in front of the genus name, thus xChitalpa tashkentensis. The hybrid was created at a botanical garden in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

One of the favorite cultivars is 'Pink Dawn' chitalpa (xChitalpa tashkentensis 'Pink Dawn'). 'Morning Cloud' and 'Summer Bells Minsum' also can be found in some nurseries.

• Leaves are lanceolate, 4 to 5 inches long and 2.5 cm wide, almost always in whorls of 3.
• Flowers are trumpet-shaped, 2.5 cm long and frilly.
• Buds are hidden, on 3-4 mm swellings, in whorls of 3.
• The species is sterile so does not produce the long, narrow pods characteristic of each parent.