How to Grow Chitalpa

Chitalpa is an unusual hybrid resulting in a gorgeous deciduous shrub or small flowering tree that display slender lance-shaped foliage and a mass of pale pink orchid-like blooms during the summer. They are best suited to cottage or informal garden settings. Chitalpa can vary in size dependant on their variety.

Plant Chitalpa in a position of full sun in a location of well-drained soil. Enrich the native soil with a generous amount of compost before planting. Chitalpa tolerate minimal shade but will develop foliage diseases that make the plant unattractive. However, their trunks are very sensitive to sunscald, so they should never be sited with a western exposure where they burn. You will also find that the trees are tolerant of high alkaline soils.

Chitalpa are relatively drought tolerant although will benefit from occasional watering. Prune Chitalpa by thinning out lateral branches. This will increase the density of the canopy and make the tree more attractive.

It is possible to propagate Chitalpa during early summer from greenwood cuttings.