Chilopsis linearis 'Sweet Bubba' PP33091

Sweet Bubba Seedless Desert Willow

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Chilopsis linearis 'Sweet Bubba,' is exclusively created by Civano Growers for the Bubba Series of Desert Willows. This selection, born from the union of 'Bubba' and 'Sweet Katie Burgundy,' represents the perfect marriage of two Desert Willow varieties. 'Sweet Bubba' showcases large, dark green glossy leaves and boasts enormous burgundy blooms, distinguishing itself as a remarkable seedless cultivar. Exclusively available from Civano Growers, this selection is designed to captivate and thrive in diverse landscapes.

Architectural Appeal and Foliage:

Civano's 'Sweet Bubba' Desert Willow presents an alluring architectural form with gracefully cascading branches and large, dark green, glossy leaves. The plant's unique growth habit and elegantly arranged foliage provide landscape architects with a versatile design element. Whether used as a standalone focal point, an accent in mixed plantings, or integrated into lush backdrops, 'Sweet Bubba' adds sophistication and exclusivity to outdoor designs.

Floral Extravaganza and Growth Rate:

The allure of 'Sweet Bubba' lies in its exceptional floral display, featuring bigger, purple-red flowers that bloom heavily and persist for an extended period. This exclusive plant, a product of Civano Growers' innovation, exhibits a moderate growth rate, providing landscape architects with the ideal balance between prompt establishment and long-term manageability. The vibrant and larger blooms of 'Sweet Bubba' contribute to a visually dynamic and vibrant landscape.

Light and Water Preferences:

Chilopsis linearis 'Sweet Bubba' needs abundant sunlight, revealing its full potential with at least six hours of daily exposure. Adaptable to various light conditions, Sweet Bubba benefits from ample sunlight to enhance flowering and showcase the unique patterns of its blossoms. As a drought-tolerant plant, 'Sweet Bubba' requires consistent watering during the establishment phase, ensuring optimal growth and resilience.

Wildlife Support and Ecological Contribution:

Deeply rooted in Civano Growers' growing techniques, 'Sweet Bubba' Desert Willow contributes to local biodiversity by attracting pollinators such as butterflies and bees. Landscape architects can leverage this ecological benefit when crafting outdoor spaces that prioritize supporting native pollinating wildlife. 'Sweet Bubba' also demonstrates resistance to browsing by rabbits and deer, enhancing its suitability for a variety of landscapes.

Considerations and Low-Maintenance Features:

While generally low-maintenance, 'Sweet Bubba' prompts designers to consider its mature size and growth habit during the planning stages. Leveraging its well-structured growth can contribute to creating visually dynamic landscapes. Regular maintenance practices, such as pruning, can enhance blooming cycles, ensuring a continuous display of its unique and vibrant flowers.

Integration into Landscape Designs:

As an exclusive from Civano Growers, Chilopsis linearis 'Sweet Bubba' effortlessly integrates into diverse landscape designs. Designers can use it to infuse exclusivity into xeriscape gardens, as a stunning focal point in rock gardens, or as a distinctive element in mixed plantings. 'Sweet Bubba' enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of outdoor spaces, providing landscape architects with a unique canvas to express their creativity.

Designing with 'Sweet Bubba' Desert Willow:

For landscape architects and designers, Chilopsis linearis 'Sweet Bubba' offers an exclusive opportunity to incorporate unique flower patterns, wildlife support, and an adaptable essence into their designs. Created by Civano Growers for the Bubba Series, this plant contributes to the creation of visually dynamic and environmentally rich outdoor spaces, reflecting a commitment to innovation and beauty in landscaping.

FAMILY

Bignoniaceae

MATURE HEIGHT

12 to 18 ft

GROWTH HABIT

Chilopsis linearis 'Sweet Bubba' is a fast-growing, multi-stemmed, clonal, deciduous tree or large shrub with an upright, rounded, and spreading form.

WATER REQUIREMENT

Moderate Water, Drought Tolerant

HARDY TO

'-10°F

NATIVE REGION

Central Mexico, west Texas, southern Arizona

TYPE

Tree to shrub form

SOIL TYPE

Well-drained. While it is highly adaptable and tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and even well-drained clay, its most critical need is to avoid waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root rot. 'Sweet Bubba' thrives in soils with minimal organic content and is tolerant of both acidic and alkaline pH levels. Overwatering or planting in heavy, poorly draining clay will weaken the plant and can cause root damage.

MAINTENACE TIPS

Established plants are highly drought-tolerant, but occasional deep watering during extended dry periods in the summer will promote more prolific blooming. Overwatering is the biggest risk and can cause root rot. Fertilizing is generally unnecessary for the "Sweet Bubba" desert willow, as it can encourage excessive, weak growth and reduce flower production. If growth is sluggish, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can be used sparingly.

ELEVATION

to 6000 feet

15 to 20 ft

MATURE WIDTH

LEAF SHAPE

The foliage of Chilopsis linearis 'Sweet Bubba' consists of long, narrow, and simple leaves that are arranged oppositely or alternately along its slender stems. A key characteristic of this cultivar is its foliage's notably dark green and glossy appearance, which is more lush compared to other desert willow varieties. As a deciduous tree, the 'Sweet Bubba' sheds its willow-like leaves in the autumn, leaving its architectural branches bare for the winter.

FLOWER COLOR

Burgundy

FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS

The 'Sweet Bubba' desert willow produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers that are highly fragrant and appear in profuse clusters at the ends of its branches. The showy blooms feature a striking two-toned coloration, with petals that are primarily a dark burgundy or rich wine-purple and often include markings of pink, white, or yellow in the throat. The five ruffled, petal-like lobes give the flowers an exotic, orchid-like appearance.

FRUIT/SEED

Notably, the 'Sweet Bubba' is virtually seedless, which prevents the mess of seed pods found on other desert willow varieties and contributes to a longer, more vigorous bloom.

SUN EXPOSURE

Full Sun

POLLINATORS

Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees (including native bees, bumblebees, and carpenter bees). The tree also serves as a larval host for the white-winged moth and provides shelter for nesting birds like ladder-backed woodpeckers and ash-throated flycatchers.

PRUNING TIPS

Chilopsis linearis 'Sweet Bubba' is a low-maintenance plant that primarily requires pruning to shape its structure and enhance flowering. The ideal time for major pruning is in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. A light trim can also be done in the summer to encourage a new flush of flowers. Pruning in the first two to three years should be minimal to allow the plant to establish its root system and structural strength. As a cultivar, 'Sweet Bubba' will try to revert to its natural shrub-like form and produce suckers at the base, which should be pruned out whenever they appear. The plant can be trained into a multi-trunked shrub or a single-trunk tree. For a multi-trunked form, allow several strong leaders to develop. To form a single trunk, prune only the lowest limbs every spring until the desired trunk height is achieved, while making sure the diameter of the removed limb is no more than half the diameter of the main trunk.