Hosta nigra

El Niño desert orchid (Chitalpa 'NCXC1') is one of those plants that just doesn't quit. It's a fast-growing shrub that pumps out fragrant pink flowers all summer long, and it laughs at heat and drought. During plant trials at Louisiana State University, it absolutely stole the show — while drought took out most of the trial plants in 2023, El Niño was described as "living in an alternate universe," putting on several feet of growth after spring planting, blooming like crazy, and looking fabulous all summer. Plus, deer leave it alone. Win-win-win.

Common name: El Niño desert orchid

Botanical name: Chitalpa 'NCXC1'

Origin: Dr. Tom Ranney at North Carolina State University crossed species from two different genera to create this shrub — he paired desert willow (Chilopsis linearis), a Southwest native, with species of catalpa (Catalpa). Pretty cool mix, right?

Flowers: Warm pink, tubular flowers show up in upright clusters at the stem tips, and they smell wonderful. The biggest flush of bloom happens in late spring or early summer, with more flowers popping here and there throughout the rest of summer.

Foliage: Long, narrow, medium green, and willow-like — very graceful.

Size and habit: El Niño grows as a rounded deciduous shrub that can reach 10 to 15 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. You can even train it into a small tree form if you want.

Growing El Niño desert orchid

Exposure: Full to part sun

How to grow it: Plant El Niño in full to part sun and well-drained soil that's on the leaner side — it doesn't need rich ground. It's seriously drought tolerant once established, and you can skip the fertilizer entirely. If you want to shape it up, prune in early spring before new growth starts, since the flower buds form on the current year's growth. USDA Zones 6–9.

Image courtesy of Proven Winners