Texas Mountain Laurels

What a wonderful central Texas native!   Dark green, glossy leaves and an irresistable purple bloom in the spring.   I just wish it bloomed longer.  Each trees bloom period is about 2-3 weeks.    The seedpods will contain a dark red, poisonous seed.    The seedcoat is extremely hard; in nature it may take a few years before they sprout.   Here in the nursery, we have our ways to push them along. . . .

Texas mountain laurels have become a hot commodity in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  They are equally loved in the Rio Grande Valley.  They tolerate many types of soil - just be sure it's well-drained.  Mountain laurel do not like wet feet!   

Once established this is a great Xeriscape plant.  It handles underwatering better than overwatering.

Desert Willow 'Bubba'

One of the trees that is highly sought after right now is Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis.   Native to west Texas and the Edwards Plateau this small deciduous tree looks like a willow, but is not.    Dr. David Creech of the Stephen F Austin Mast Arboretum, lists 20 different Desert Willow cultivars.  Discovered by Paul Cox of the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, 'Bubba' is the one that is making a name in the nursery trade.   Propagated from cuttings, 'Bubba' has darker green leaves and large purple bloom.   It also tends to have a more upright growth habit.   One website also makes the claim that 'Bubba' is deer resistant!  How great is that!   Desert Willows propogated from seed may not be true to the characteristics of the mother plant - lots of cross pollination going on . . .   And now a few more descriptions:   Small tree (20 feet tall x 20 feet wide), likes full sun, very high heat tolerance,  low water needs, summer and fall bloomer, deciduous, adaptable to most soils,  hardy to zone 7.

You'd think we'd be writing about one of our products - but this one is one we wish we planted five years ago!   We hope to get some in the ground this season;  we'll keep you posted on what we learn as we grow them here at the nursery.