Plant Database

Description:

An interesting hybrid flowering tree or large shrub that produces highly fragrant white orchid-like flowers over an incredibly long season for a tree, extremely tolerant of dry, exposed sites

Ornamental Features

Morning Cloud Chitalpa features showy panicles of fragrant white orchid-like flowers with purple stripes rising above the foliage from late spring to early fall. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The large narrow leaves do not develop any appreciable fall colour.

Landscape Attributes

Morning Cloud Chitalpa is a multi-stemmed deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Morning Cloud Chitalpa is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent

Planting & Growing

Morning Cloud Chitalpa will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.