When it comes to summer blooming trees, the Chitalpa, is in my opinion, one of the most beautiful! It is not a very well known tree, so it is a great time of year to come and see it in bloom at the Garden Centre.

We planted ours about 10 years ago. Like most of the other trees Nigel and I have added to our garden, it began as a bit of a misfit. It was a healthy tree, although not perfectly shaped, so Nigel and I decided we would give it a spot. It has repaid us by developing into a lovely shaped, rounded, multi-trunked tree of about 15 feet that may reach as tall as 25 feet in time.

The individual flowers of the tree are sometimes described as being like azalea, orchid or snapdragon flowers and indeed they do resemble all of these. These lovely flowers are the softest blush colour with rose markings and yellow throats and are loosely held in large panicles (cone-shaped bundles) above the branches. The slender leaves are about 4 inches long and medium green.

Chitalpa trees are a cross between a desert tree, Chilopsis linearis and the fairly well know large leaved Catalpa bignonioides. In fact the flowers are very similar to the Catalpa but they get their ruggedness from the Chilopsis. That being said it is understandable that they would need a sunny location and very good drainage. Once established they are very drought tolerant.

If the idea of using a tree that you can plant in your garden later appeals to you this is how I would do it. First choose a tree that you would like to add to your garden. So it may not look exactly as what we have come to think of a traditional Christmas tree; however it will be pleasing in your yard for many years to come

It is important to know that a living tree will only tolerate being in your home for a short period of time and will not like to be in a room with a wood stove or other extreme heat source. While it is in your home keep it well watered. Acclimatize it before putting it back out in the cold again by setting it in the garage or carport over night.

As your tree will only be in the house a few days (about 7-10 at the very longest!) you may want to make a bit more of a fuss over it than usual. Make sure the whole family is home to set it up so that this new tradition appeals to all.

Make your family's favourite easy dinner or have an appie night, it feels like a family party! Get your kids to help with the traditions like lighting candles or choosing Christmas music. I think these are the specials times that your family will treasure. Plan where the tree should be planted before Christmas and if time allows dig the hole so that the hard work is done