Wizzie Brown, an insect specialist with the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office, says genista caterpillars are easy to spot on your blooming Texas mountain laurel plants. Then, water every 4-7 days for the first year. Although slow-growing and difficult to transplant, mountain laurel is one of the best small trees for any landscape. The Texas Mountain Laurel blooms in spring and displays dense clusters of … It is a gift for my neighbor and I planted it at a western exposure with one drip. Prune your Texas mountain laurel trees only when it is necessary to remove diseased, damaged or dead branches and foliage. In the spring, Texas mountain laurel puts on a show for the senses with its pendulous clusters of fragrant purple flowers. Water regularly during first few growing seasons to establish the root system. Establishment can take up to three years, as it does with many trees. They’ll do well in clay, loam, and sand, and will tolerate being planted in or near turf. #2 Texas Mountain Laurel. Texas Mountain Laurel – Elgin Nursery & Tree Farm: Phoenix, AZ. Suzanne Longley, ... she is well qualified to advise her nursery clients on how her trees and roses work in Texas landscapes. Water Texas mountain laurel trees infrequently to prevent the soil around them from drying out completely. Plant in a sunny location with good soil … She has lectured on tree care and the horticultural arts at places like Bayou Bend, River Oaks Garden Club, and Houston Garden Club. Make a circular dam around the hole (this makes watering easier). It has beautiful spring blooms, and its elliptical, glossy deep-green leaves (resembling those of rhododendrons) and gnarled stems make it attractive in all seasons. Understanding the nature of the variety you’re looking at, is important. They bloom in Southwest zones in early spring and their flowers are deep blue to purple. The hole and dirt were adequate to directions. Treat affected trees with an insecticidal spray if necessary to restore their health. Get a head start by planting as large of a specimen as you can find. “They have black and white dots on their body, and they have these little spiky hairs that come off. If you prune after blossoming to preserve the bloom for next year, you may find pruning stimulates increased blossoming. Space Texas mountain laurel saplings 10 to 12 feet apart, and water regularly during the first year so that the soil is constantly moist but never sodden. Why is this tree not fluorishing? If the flowers are not deadheaded, nondescri… Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Insecticides containing Spinosad formulations are useful for larger caterpillars o… Texas mountain laurel is a very hardy plant that requires little care, making it a perfect choice for novice and experienced gardeners alike. Texas mountain laurel grows in limestone soils in Central and Southwest Texas and to 5000 feet in the Chisos and Davis Mountains. Nick the seeds with a nail file and soak them in water for 24 hours before planting them in a prepared planting location. Houston Chronicle: How Should I Prune My Texas Mountain Laurel? Shiny evergreen leaves and drooping clusters of lavender flowers make Texas mountain laurel popular in warm regions. She has contributed to various publications, including "Teen Voices" and "Positive Teens" magazines, as well as a book, "The Young Writer's Guide to Getting Published." That said, there are always exceptions to the rules. For instance, a #15 Texas Mountain Laurel will be very short…perhaps 4 feet tall. Texas Mountain Laurel Sophora Secundiflora. The seeds are red, about one-half inch in length and cased inside a silvery gray pod which opens after the plant flowers. Learn more about Moon Valley Nurseries trees and best practices for outstanding plant performance. Texas Mountain Laurel usually bloom in March, and the blooming period may last 3-4 weeks. Grow Texas mountain laurel in full sun or partial shade in neutral to alkaline, well-drained soil. 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. This shade-loving shrub produces clusters of rose, pink, or white flowers with purple markings in late May to early June. Despite its lavish beauty, caring for your Texas mountain laurel is simple. How to Grow Japanese Magnolia in Containers. “They’re going to be usually a yellowish but sometimes a yellowish green,” she says. I purchased a Texas Mountain Laurel. In addition, provide a little … Rub seeds against sand paper or cut an âxâ into them with a sharp knife to scarify the hard shell, then plant them in a pot to propagate. Mountain Laurel Winter Care You can prevent mountain laurel winter injury with just a little effort. This tree thrives in rocky, limestone soil but does not grow well in compacted soil. Apply the first fertilizer application in the early spring, before new growth is observed; apply the second fertilizer application in the early summer. Keep pets and children away from the poisonous seed of the Texas mountain laurel. Texas Mountain Laurel is exceptionally hardy, tolerates arid climates, and requires very little maintenance. It requires little care and is very hearty. The Texas Mountain Laurel is a host plant for gentista broom moth caterpillars. Whether you are digging up an existing mountain laurel to replant in a different space or buying one from a nursery, make sure it is less than 2-1/2 feet in height. Likewise, when planting the laurel, you should ensure that it has soil that drains properly and does … Mature Size: Up to 25 feet tall. 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. Remove any dead or damaged limbs at the same time. Upon germination, transfer the seedling to the ground in the spring when the soil is warm. Although it can survive on annual rainfall, supplemental irrigation is usually required in central and southern Arizona. 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. Its lush purple flowers have a strong grapelike fragrance that permeates the area around the plant. Mattingly-Arthur is studying travel and tourism through Penn Foster Career School. It is essential to cover both the upper and lower sides of all the leaves. Fertilize with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in the spring. Prune Texas mountain laurel in the winter if you plan to grow it as a tree rather than a shrub by removing any unwanted trunks at ground level. In south-central Texas, mountain laurel is commonly found on well-drained Hill Country limestone. The tree is often mistaken for the bay laurel tree, due to the similarity of their foliage. CARE Thrives in average to lean, loose, fast-draining, slightly alkaline soil with gravel mulch. Contact your local agricultural extension office for additional prevention and treatment information. Texas mountain laurel prefers alkaline, well-drained rocky soils, including those that contain limestone. Some people find the fragrance overwhelming. So there you have the story of a native Texas plant with the inappropriate name of Mountain Laurel making it big in landscapes. The classic rule on pruning is … Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension: Sophora Secundiflora (Texas Mountain Laurel). The Texas mountain laurel is a small evergreen tree that matures between 15 to 25 feet tall with a 10 to 12 foot spread. If you prune off caterpillar-infested branches, you may lose some of the shape or blooms for a while. Texas mountain laurel, known botanically as Sophora secundiflora, is an ornamental evergreen tree that is native to North America. Moon Valley Nurseries. For best results, fertilize the tree with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer according to label directions. 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. This slow growing evergreen may be grown as a medium to large shrub or trained to a single or multi-trunk tree. Foliage is an attractive dark green color and large, purple flowers reminiscent of wisteria bloom from February to April. Commonly grown as a shrub, it also can be pruned into a small tree. Glossy dark leaves up to 5 inches long are divided into seven to nine 1-inch rounded leaflets. Provide the trees with 1 inch of supplemental irrigation in the absence of rain for three or more weeks. If the tree is far under these standards, you may not be getting what you paid for. When applying fertilizer, spread it carefully over the soil, keeping it away from the trunk. Decide on where to plant your mountain laurel. Never prune … All Rights Reserved. They grow VERY slowly. At the first sight of caterpillars (when they are still small), use a foliar spray of Bt – Bacillus thurengiensis. Texas mountain laurel, known botanically as Sophora secundiflora, is an ornamental evergreen tree that is native to North America. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in accounting, having graduated summa cum laude. Start a new Texas mountain laurel tree from seed. The Texas Mountain Laurel is an evergreen native tree that is quite drought tolerant, once established. The tree is prized for its drought-resistance and glossy, dark-green foliage. Texas mountain laurel has high drought tolerance w… Note that it may take up to a year for the seeds to germinate and sprout. Use a pair of sharpened and sterilized pruning shears or loppers to make a clean pruning cut just outside of the branch's collar. Choose a planting site in an area that gets full sun. Houseplants / Ornamental / Shrubs / / 8 Types of Laurel Flowers (Care Guides & Photos) 8 Types of Laurel Flowers (Care Guides & Photos) ... Texas Mountain Laurel. A western exposure with one drip may take up to 5 inches long are divided into seven nine... Until they are still small ), use a pair of sharpened sterilized! 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