Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Anacacho Orchid Tree
Anacacho Orchid Tree is a small tree or large shrub from the Chihuahuan Desert of west Texas and Mexico. In spring it covers itself in clusters of white, orchid-shaped flowers, and its small leaves are shaped like butterfly wings. It grows about 6 to 12 feet tall with no thorns, so it fits a patio, a courtyard or a narrow side yard. Once it is rooted it gets by on low water, and bees and butterflies visit the flowers.
Best for: small patios and courtyards, a thornless accent near seating, an informal flowering screen, and low-water beds that draw bees and butterflies.
It stays about 6 to 12 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide, and it has no thorns. That makes it an easy tree beside a patio, a bench or a walkway where people brush past.
White flower clusters cover the branches in spring, and a few more can open in summer or after fall rain. Bees and butterflies work the flowers while they last.
Set several plants 6 to 8 feet apart to make a soft, informal screen or hedge. Let them keep their natural shape instead of shearing them into a box.
It needs soil that drains, and it does not like standing water. It is rated to about 15°F, and in a cold winter it can drop many of its leaves until spring.
- Informal hedge or screen6-8 ft apart
- Accent trees in a group8 ft apart
Water every 1 to 2 days in summer, or every 3 to 4 days in cooler months, for the first two weeks. Ease to about once a week in summer by the second month, and keep up deep soaks through the first year.
Once it is rooted, soak it deeply about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and about once a month in winter. A little more summer water keeps the canopy fuller. Never keep the soil soggy.
Prune only to shape it and to clear dead or crossing branches. Keep its natural open form, and never take more than a quarter of the canopy in one year.
It is rated to about 15°F. In a cold winter it can drop many of its leaves, so wait for spring growth before cutting anything that looks bare.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does an Anacacho Orchid Tree get?
It grows about 6 to 12 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide, as a small tree or a large shrub with one or several trunks. Growth is slow to moderate, so give it a few seasons to fill out.
When does it bloom and what color are the flowers?
It blooms in spring with clusters of white, orchid-shaped flowers, and some plants show a pink tint. A few more flowers can open in summer with watering or after fall rain.
Is Anacacho Orchid Tree evergreen?
It keeps most of its leaves in a mild Valley winter. In a colder winter it can drop many of them, and new leaves come back in spring.
How much water does it need?
Water it regularly the first year so the roots get going. After that it needs little water, but a deep soak now and then in summer keeps the canopy fuller.
Does it need full sun?
It grows in full sun or part shade. Full sun gives a denser plant, and a spot with some filtered afternoon shade works well too.
How far apart should I plant Anacacho Orchid Trees?
Plant them about 6 to 8 feet apart for an informal hedge or screen. The Spacing tab shows both a screen and an accent group.
How do I prune it?
Prune lightly and only to shape it. It looks best with its natural, open form, so avoid shearing it into a tight ball or box.
How cold hardy is it?
It is rated to about 15°F, which covers a normal Valley winter. In a hard freeze it can lose leaves, and it leafs out again in spring.
Does it have thorns?
No. Anacacho Orchid Tree has no thorns, so it works next to patios, pools and walkways where you do not want spines.
What soil does it need?
It needs soil that drains well, so avoid low spots where water stands after a soak. Backfill with the native soil you dug out.
Does it attract bees and butterflies?
Yes. Bees and butterflies visit the spring flowers, so it is a good pick near a pollinator bed.
Is Anacacho Orchid Tree messy?
No. It drops very little litter, so it works next to a patio or walkway.
Anacacho Orchid Tree for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Anacacho Orchid Tree is a small, thornless flowering tree from the Chihuahuan Desert. It blooms white in spring, keeps a light, airy canopy and uses little water once rooted. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard: size, bloom, water, spacing, pruning and how it handles winter.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
How big does an Anacacho Orchid Tree get in Phoenix?
Plan on about 6 to 12 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide. It grows at a slow to moderate pace as a small tree or large shrub with one or several trunks.
When does the Anacacho Orchid Tree bloom?
The main bloom is in spring, with clusters of white, orchid-shaped flowers. A few more flowers can open in summer with watering, or after fall rain.
Is Anacacho Orchid Tree a good patio tree?
Yes. It stays small and has no thorns, so it fits beside a patio or courtyard. Give it soil that drains and a sunny or lightly shaded spot.
How often do you water an Anacacho Orchid Tree?
Water regularly the first year. Once rooted, a deep soak about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and about once a month in winter is enough. A little extra in summer gives a fuller canopy.
How far apart do you plant Anacacho Orchid Trees?
Space them about 6 to 8 feet apart for an informal hedge or screen. Accent trees in a group can go 8 feet apart.
Is the Anacacho Orchid Tree evergreen in Arizona?
It keeps most of its leaves through a mild Valley winter. A cold snap can make it drop many leaves, and it grows new ones in spring.
How cold hardy is the Anacacho Orchid Tree?
It is rated to about 15°F. That covers most Valley winters, though a hard freeze can strip leaves until spring.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.