texas mountain laurel tree care

The Texas mountain laurel is a small evergreen tree that matures between 15 to 25 feet tall with a 10 to 12 foot spread. How to Grow Japanese Magnolia in Containers. The Texas Mountain Laurel is an evergreen native tree that is quite drought tolerant, once established. Although it can survive on annual rainfall, supplemental irrigation is usually required in central and southern Arizona. Young trees benefit from afternoon shade in hot climates. While this is a slow growing plant, they eventually can grow up to 35-feet tall; however you typically find them in the 15-foot range in urban environments. Mature Size: Up to 25 feet tall. Remove any dead or damaged limbs at the same time. Bt has a short residual time on a plant, so it may be necessary to spray repeatedly to destroy an infestation. If you prune after blossoming to preserve the bloom for next year, you may find pruning stimulates increased blossoming. Texas mountain laurel trees usually perform best when watered just once a month. If you prune off caterpillar-infested branches, you may lose some of the shape or blooms for a while. Grow Texas mountain laurel in full sun or partial shade in neutral to alkaline, well-drained soil. In the spring, Texas mountain laurel puts on a show for the senses with its pendulous clusters of fragrant purple flowers. Never prune … Understanding the nature of the variety you’re looking at, is important. Tree is about two feet high. Texas Mountain Laurels are not bothered by many pests; however, the Genista moth larvae can decimate the foliage on a full-grown tree in a few days. Mature mountain laurels do not transplant well. This slow growing evergreen may be grown as a medium to large shrub or trained to a single or multi-trunk tree. Water in thoroughly after transplanting to settle the soil around the root system. Foliage is an attractive dark green color and large, purple flowers reminiscent of wisteria bloom from February to April. It requires little care and is very hearty. It grows narrow and upright and has dense foliage which can be pruned well in to tree form. Store seeds in a cool, dry place until they are ready for planting. Apply the first fertilizer application in the early spring, before new growth is observed; apply the second fertilizer application in the early summer. For best results, fertilize the tree with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer according to label directions. Choose a planting site in an area that gets full sun. The Texas Mountain Laurel is a host plant for gentista broom moth caterpillars. The Texas Mountain Laurel blooms in spring and displays dense clusters of … This is a member of the pea family and the relationship can be seen with the fragrant clusters of blue sweet pea-like flowers produced in the spring. Rub seeds against sand paper or cut an “x” into them with a sharp knife to scarify the hard shell, then plant them in a pot to propagate. In fact it only requires a little water if it starts to look droopy and it’s easier to over water this tree than under water it. This shade-loving shrub produces clusters of rose, pink, or white flowers with purple markings in late May to early June. A typical mature size is 15 feet high and 10 feet wide. Nick the seeds with a nail file and soak them in water for 24 hours before planting them in a prepared planting location. The shrub likes full sun and well-drained, rocky limestone soil. The classic rule on pruning is … Megan Mattingly-Arthur has been writing professionally since 1998. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Sophora Secundiflora (Ortega), Fine Gardening: Sophora Secundiflora (Mescal Bean, Texas Mountain Laurel), North Carolina State University: Overcoming Seed Dormancy: Trees and Shrubs, San Antonio Express News: Texas Mountain Laurel. Texas mountain laurel, known botanically as Sophora secundiflora, is an ornamental evergreen tree that is native to North America. Texas mountain laurel has high drought tolerance w… Texas mountain laurel, known botanically as Sophora secundiflora, is an ornamental evergreen tree that is native to North America. Texas mountain laurel grows in limestone soils in Central and Southwest Texas and to 5000 feet in the Chisos and Davis Mountains. Moon Valley Nurseries. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. When applying fertilizer, spread it carefully over the soil, keeping it away from the trunk. They bloom in Southwest zones in early spring and their flowers are deep blue to purple. Texas mountain laurel prefers alkaline, well-drained rocky soils, including those that contain limestone. If the flowers are not deadheaded, nondescri… In addition, provide a little … The Texas Mountain Laurel, Sophora secundiflora, is an excellent landscaping shrub. The aroma from these blooms is quite pleasant and is very similar to the smell of the artificial grape flavoring found in drinks and gums. Use a pair of sharpened and sterilized pruning shears or loppers to make a clean pruning cut just outside of the branch's collar. “They’re going to be usually a yellowish but sometimes a yellowish green,” she says. Houston Chronicle: How Should I Prune My Texas Mountain Laurel? Glossy dark leaves up to 5 inches long are divided into seven to nine 1-inch rounded leaflets. “They have black and white dots on their body, and they have these little spiky hairs that come off. Also known as mescal bean, this small, slow-growing tree is drought tolerant and thrives in rocky, limestone soils. The tree is prized for its drought-resistance and glossy, dark-green foliage. Texas Mountain Laurel Sophora Secundiflora. Moon Valley Nurseries has a great selection of Texas Mountain Laurel trees that are grown only from our best specimens. Its lush purple flowers have a strong grapelike fragrance that permeates the area around the plant. Texas mountain laurels produce seedpods that contain poisonous red berries, which can cause hallucinations when ingested. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! It does best when planted in full sun locations and given deep, regular irrigations. Avoid over-watering, as this is more likely to damage the plant than under-watering. Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora) If you’ve recently caught a whiff of something grape-flavored (mmmmm…) while walking your dog, riding your bike, or taking your mail to the box, you smelled Texas mountain laurel. Fertilize the plant twice each growing season to ensure a growth rate of up to 2 feet per year. The seeds are red, about one-half inch in length and cased inside a silvery gray pod which opens after the plant flowers. D. secundiflorum will also tolerate light shade for … Get a head start by planting as large of a specimen as you can find. At the first sight of caterpillars (when they are still small), use a foliar spray of Bt – Bacillus thurengiensis. Start a new Texas mountain laurel tree from seed. Water lightly as needed during prolonged dry periods; Texas mountain laurel is highly heat and drought tolerant but will need occasional attention if it starts to look droopy during drought. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Sunset Western Garden Book; Editors of Sunset Magazine. Treat affected trees with an insecticidal spray if necessary to restore their health. Prune your Texas mountain laurel trees only when it is necessary to remove diseased, damaged or dead branches and foliage. Texas mountain laurel; Texas persimmon; About Us. Writing professionally since 2008, Michelle Miley specializes in home and garden topics but frequently pens career, style and marketing pieces. It has become poor in appearance, leaves are falling off. Scientific Name: Sophora secundiflora. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension: Sophora Secundiflora (Texas Mountain Laurel). Contact your local agricultural extension office for additional prevention and treatment information. Texas mountain laurel, known botanically as Sophora secundiflora, is an ornamental evergreen tree that is native to North America. Suzanne Longley, ... she is well qualified to advise her nursery clients on how her trees and roses work in Texas landscapes. Likewise, when planting the laurel, you should ensure that it has soil that drains properly and does … Water Texas mountain laurel trees infrequently to prevent the soil around them from drying out completely. It’s glossy, dark […] They’ll do well in clay, loam, and sand, and will tolerate being planted in or near turf. Growing the Texas Mountain Laurel in Mesa, AZ – These desert tress love full sun and a soil that is rocky and chalked with limestone. They grow VERY slowly. Learn more about Moon Valley Nurseries trees and best practices for outstanding plant performance. It is essential to cover both the upper and lower sides of all the leaves. Decide on where to plant your mountain laurel. In the spring, Texas mountain laurel puts on a show for the senses with its pendulous clusters of fragrant purple flowers. Establishment can take up to three years, as it does with many trees. Water Texas mountain laurel trees infrequently to prevent the soil around them from drying out completely. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w-----How to Grow a Texas Mountain Laurel Tree. In south-central Texas, mountain laurel is commonly found on well-drained Hill Country limestone. "The Gardener's Guide to Planting and Growing Trees"; Mike Buffi; 2007. Insecticides containing Spinosad formulations are useful for larger caterpillars o… Blackland clays and sandy soils as you can prevent mountain laurel Winter injury with just little... Height of 15 to 25 feet Editors of Sunset Magazine trees benefit from afternoon shade in neutral alkaline! Is … Mature mountain laurels do not transplant well limestone soil but does not grow well in soil! Laurel Sophora secundiflora and cased inside a silvery gray pod which opens the. Tree with a multi-stemmed growth habit is far under these standards, you may pruning... Practices for outstanding plant performance berries, which can be pruned well in clay, loam, requires. 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