Bubba Desert Willow

Majestic Desert Willow Perfect for Hot Environments

The Bubba Desert Willow has a stunning upright form with disease-resistance, drought-tolerance, and cold-hardiness. Plus, it’s low-maintenance, making it a wonderful tree for your yard.

This fast-growing tree will transform your space, and its glossy, dark green leaves add beautiful colors. You can even expect large, dark burgundy, fragrant flowers in late spring and summer with this tree.

‘Bubba’ is long-blooming and attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators during spring and summer. Create your own butterfly garden in even the driest, hottest conditions with this hardy tree.

This Willow is native to central Mexico, west Texas, New Mexico, southern and central Arizona, southern Nevada, California, and northern Baja California. It’s best planted in areas of full sunlight and little water and is perfect as a focal point, in small groups, as a screening, or near your deck or patio.

Even when the leaves fall in the cooler seasons, this tree keeps a charming, architectural winter silhouette. With its impressive height and span, this tree will elevate your space no matter the time of year.

Buy the Bubba Desert Willow now so that you can enjoy this lovely, fragrant tree!

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Place in an area where it can receive full sunlight (between 6-8 hours per day) in dry soil. Since this tree grows rapidly and widely, space it from other plants and trees accordingly. For an instant privacy screen, plant these trees 5 feet apart. To give the trees a bit more room (which requires less work in terms of pruning), plant them 20 to 30 feet apart. You can plant them in a straight line, or in two staggered rows. 

When you're ready to plant, dig a hole as deep as the root ball but twice as wide. Then, place the tree in the hole to check the depth - if the level of the soil surrounding the hole is higher than the root ball, pick the tree up, put some more soil in the hole, and replace the tree. Then, back fill the soil and water to settle.

2. Watering: Water regularly until established. Since this tree thrives in hot, dry conditions, be careful not to overwater. 

3. Pruning: Desert Willows require pruning primarily to control their size and shape and to remove dead branches. Cut dead branches all the way back to the trunk, stopping at least ½ inch before the trunk. The pruning cut will heal itself.

If you’re growing the Willows as a hedge, trim once a year in the winter, which will encourage the tree to branch out and become denser throughout the summer.

4. Fertilizing: Fertilizing your Desert Willows isn't necessary and excessive fertilizing can damage them.