I got a free Desert Willow seedling from the Texas Foresty Service about two years ago. It was a twig. I planted it, watered it a couple of times in the first month and then promptly forgot about it. I rediscovered it this summer - it's about up over my knee now and has beautiful green on it. I plan to take much better care of it from now on, but I just wanted to offer this bit of proof that they are, indeed, neglect-resistent.