Chitalpa tashkentensis
Chitalpa tashkentensis · Bignoniaceae
The gardener's calendar
Chitalpa tashkentensis is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to September
- Flowers
- Pink, mauve or white depending on varieties
- Adult size
- Up to 8 m in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Moderate (-10 to -15°C)
- Origin
- Horticultural hybrid (Tabebuia × Catalpa)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, fertile
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Chitalpa is a summer-flowering tree that thrives in hot summers and won't tolerate waterlogged soil. Plant it in light, well-draining soil amended with coarse gravel if your native soil is heavy.
The common mistake
Don't drown it by watering it like a Paulownia—excess water is its main enemy, especially in the first 2 years when roots aren't established.
The pro's trick
Prune lightly in March before sap rises to balance the branching: Chitalpa doesn't need heavy pruning, just light shaping into an airy bush or small tree.
Seasonal watch
In September, if autumn turns cold and damp, late-season flowers won't open properly.
Care
Exposure
Chitalpa thrives in full sun, where it will flower abundantly and develop a beautiful shape. Install it in a location sheltered from strong winds that could damage its delicate flowers. Aim for 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to achieve maximum blooming.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing and flowering period (May to October), keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter once the foliage has fallen. During dry spells, increase watering frequency, especially in the first years after planting.
Soil and planting
Prepare rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral to encourage rooting. Enrich the planting hole with mature compost. Avoid compact or waterlogged soils that cause root rot.
Pruning and shaping
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a balanced and airy shape. Remove dead or poorly oriented branches in late winter. Moderate pruning encourages better branching and more abundant flowering the following year.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced or slightly phosphorus-rich fertilizer in spring to support flowering. An application of compost on the surface each autumn naturally enriches the soil without excess. Avoid excessive nitrogen applications that promote foliage at the expense of flowers.
Diseases and pests
Chitalpa is generally robust and rarely subject to diseases if drainage conditions are good. Watch for mealybugs or spider mites during prolonged drought. Good air circulation prevents fungal problems.
Did you know?
Chitalpa is a remarkable horticultural hybrid created in the early 20th century in Central Asia by crossing Tabebuia with Catalpa. Its name 'tashkentensis' pays homage to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where the hybrid was likely developed. This tree combines the spectacular flowering of Tabebuia with the hardiness and vigor of Catalpa, making it an ideal choice for Mediterranean and warm temperate gardens.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.