Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The dark purple, tubular flowers of the El Niño Desert Orchid open to reveal white stippling and prominent stamens. Flowers initially bloom in late spring or early summer and continue sporadically throughout the growing season. The El Niño Desert Orchid is not an orchid but a hybrid of other plants native to North America. Also known as Chitalpa, this plant features broad leaves that come to a narrow point. New foliage has a bronzy hue before settling into a medium green.
El Niño Desert Orchid has a full, upright growth habit and develops a shrub-like form. Feature this plant in beds or borders, but ensure it has plenty of space because the El Niño Desert Orchid can grow rather large. Plant this perennial near a walkway or patio space to enjoy the sweetly scented flowers. Bees also enjoy the blooms of this pollinator-friendly perennial. Grow this deciduous plant as a perennial in USDA zones 6 through 9.
El Niño Desert Orchid Care
This plant is well suited to poor-quality soil and dry heat, making it a stellar addition to areas with hot summers. The soil should be well drained, as standing water can damage the roots. Plant the El Niño Desert Orchid in full to partial sun. Plants that receive limited sunlight may become leggy, so select a sunny spot. Give newly planted El Niño Desert Orchids consistent water for the first growing season. Established plants are drought tolerant.
This beauty is not a heavy feeder and does very well without fertilizer; however, expect better results when the plant receives some nutrition. Top-dress the soil around the plant with organic mulch or apply a single application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring. Remove dead growth at any time and prune to shape as needed in early spring when new growth emerges.
El Niño Desert Orchid Spacing
Create a lovely flowering hedge during the summer or feature the El Niño Desert Orchid as a focal point in a bed. Mature plants can stand 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Space plants 3 to 4 feet from other plants and 5 feet from buildings.
El Niño Desert Orchid Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 - 9 |
| Plant Type: Bushes |
| Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun (At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 5 - 8 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 4 - 6 Feet |
| Spacing: 4 - 6 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): Purple |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: Summer |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Drought |
| Attracts: Bees |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Planting, Specimen or Focal Point |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: Proven Winners |
| Common Name: El Niño Desert Orchid |
| Other Name(s): EL NIÑO Desert Orchid |
| Scientific Name: Chitalpa 'NCXC1' PPAF |
- SKU:
- CHIEN
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 31th |
| Zone 9 | March 31st |
| Zone 8 | April 7th |
| Zone 7 | April 14th |
| Zone 6b | April 21st |
| Zone 6a | April 28th |
| Zone 5b | May 5th |
| Zone 5a | May 12th |
| Zone 4 | May 19th |
| Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!