Named for its resemblance to willows, this popular ornamental tree produces exotic-looking dark pink or purple flowers – often with streaks of white or purple within the throat. The blooms are on full display May through September before being replaced by slender seedpods each fall. The Desert Willow ranges in size from 15 to 40 feet, often with a leaning, twisting trunk and spread-out crown. The tree is particularly drought-tolerant and is a favorite because of its easy maintenance. Indigenous people used the branches of the desert willow to construct hunting bows and dried out the flowers to make tea.