Empress Tree (Paulownia tomentosa), Scrophulariaceae Family, naturalized, deciduous, blooms mid-spring through mid-summer
For more information and photos of the blooms and growth habit, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/391/index.html
Weeping Willow, Wisconsin weeping willow (Salix x pendulina, Salix pendulina var. elegantissima), Salicaceae Family, naturalized
This willow needs full sun and tolerates a wide range of conditions and soil types. It needs ample water to fully develop. It is the most grown willow tree in Texas (except the deep southern regions).
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53461/index.html
This message was edited Sep 9, 2005 12:12 PM
Weeping Willow, Wisconsin weeping willow (Salix x pendulina, Salix pendulina var. elegantissima)
A view from the side showing its trunk, branches, shade provided and neat trimming.
Golden Rain Tree, Golden Raintree, Panicled Goldenraintree (Koelreuteria paniculata), Sapindaceae Family, naturalized
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1778/index.html
The blooms are yellow and appear in clusters and are followed by lovely seed pods. The sun illuminating the seed pods which make them look like like Japanese lanterns.
Vitex, Chaste Tree, Lilac Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus), Verbenaceae Family, naturalized, tree/large shrub, blooms late spring through late summer
Chaste tree can have pink, laveder, blue-violet or white blooms. It is drought resistant once established and can grow to be quite large.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1188/index.html
I placed my car in the photo to provide a perspective to gauge the size of the specimen.
Vitex, Chaste Tree, Lilac Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)
A close view of the blooms ...
Vitex, Chaste Tree, Lilac Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)
A specimen of the white bloomer that is not as plentiful in my area as the bluish lavender species.
Vitex, Chaste Tree, Lilac Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)
A view of the blooms of the white blooming variety.
Vitex, Chaste Tree, Lilac Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)
Don't know what I did to make this appear twice ... sorry.
This message was edited Sep 9, 2005 2:10 PM
Vitex, Chaste Tree, Lilac Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper (Vitex agnus-castus)
A view of the seeds ...
Chinese Tallow Tree, Candleberry Tree, Chicken Tree, Popcorn Tree, Florida Aspen (Triadica sebifera), Euphorbiaceae Family, naturalized, deciduous, good fall color
It is considered invasive in other states such as Florida and California, but doesn't seem to be a problem in the San Antonio area. The leaves tend to be pale in limestone soils.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/32151/index.html
The Chinese tallow provides wonderful fall color. I wished that I could have taken this photo 2 weeeks before a lot of the leaves dropped. I had to purchase a new camera. There are a few white blooms still on the tree in December.
Chinese Tallow Tree, Candleberry Tree, Chicken Tree, Popcorn Tree, Florida Aspen (Triadica sebifera)
The Chinese Tallow leaves turn various colors of gold, maroon, purple and red in the fall. The small greenish white seed capsules stand out against the deep color tones.
Texas Flowery Senna, Flowering Senna, Flowery Senna, Tree Senna, Argentina Senna, Buttercup Bush (Senna corymbosa), Caesalpiniaceae Family, naturalized, can be evergreen in southern most zones, small tree/large shrub
Senna corymbosa, a native of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, has attractive, pinnate, deep green leaves with huge clusters of rich buttercup yellow (yellow-gold) 1 inch or so blooms. It produces 3 to 4 inch seedpods in the fall. It is easy to grow, requires a sunny location in well drained soil and is very drought tolerant. In addition, it is a host to butterfly caterpillars. This plant would make a lovely addition to any landscape, especially wildscapes and xeriscapes.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/60780/index.html
It is literally covered with blooms. This photo does not do the plant justice, but at least it provides an image of its growth habit.
Texas Flowery Senna, Flowering Senna, Flowery Senna, Tree Senna, Argentina Senna, Buttercup Bush (Senna corymbosa)
The seedpods are shown here. The small leaves are a lovely deep green which makes the buttercup yellow (yellow-gold) blooms really standout.
Texas Flowery Senna, Flowering Senna, Flowery Senna, Tree Senna, Argentina Senna, Buttercup Bush (Senna corymbosa)
The blooms...
Bead Tree, Persian Lilac, Pride of India, Pride of China, Chinaberry, Umbrella Tree, White Cedar, Paraiso, Indian Lilac, Lelah (Melia azedarach), Meliaceae Family, naturalized, deciduous, blooms from mid-spring through early summer, can be invasive
This tree prefers well drained, alkaline soils and is a very fast grower. I have many fond memories of the ones growing in my yard as a child. The blooms are beautiful and smell great. It has its drawbacks: the blooms and berries can make a mess when the fall, the limbs are brittle and break easily, suckers appear around its base, seeds itself prolifically, can be killed by root rot and is considered invasive in many locales.
For more information and great photos of the blooms and berries, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/51724/index.html
The shiny, deep green, delicate leafed chinaberry tree brings back found memories of my youth when my six brothers and I would have chinaberry fights when the berries turned green. The blooms are beautiful. A not so good photo of one growing on a creek bank ...
Japanese Privet, Waxleaf Privet (Ligustrum japonicum), Oleaceae Family,
naturalized, evergreen, small tree/shrub, blooms from early spring through early summer
Nice leathery deep green foliage, fragrant white blooms and purple berries make this a desirable landscape plant.
For more information, see its entry inthe PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/51523/index.html
Japanese Privet, Waxleaf Privet (Ligustrum japonicum)
Berries shown iin October which turn purple as they mature ...
Chinese Pistache, Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis), Anacardiaceae Family, naturalized, deciduous, blooms in spring
Chinese pistache has beautiful lightish green leaves and great fall color. It may need to be topped when first planted to encourage lateral branching. It grows very fast into a nice shade tree. Mine has been a bit messy when the fruit drop. I wish I had not planted it near my patio.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/57160/index.html
Castor Bean, Caster Oil Plant, Mole Bean, Higuera Infernal (Ricinus communis), Euphorbiaceae Family, naturalized, perennial, large shrub/small tree, blooms June through August, on invasive plant lists in California and Florida
Castor bean is a fast growing large shrub or small tree (can attain a height of 16 feet or more) which has beautiful foliage. It is one of the most toxic plants around and should be planted with caution in mind.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/70/index.html
Castor Bean, Caster Oil Plant, Mole Bean, Higuera Infernal (Ricinus communis)
Ashe Juniper, Post Cedar, Mountain Cedar, Blueberry Juniper (Juniperus ashei)
(Other photos shown above)
Female cones ...
Prairie Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus lanceolata)
(Other photos shown above)
Photographed in Blanco, Texas.
Prairie Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus lanceolata)
It may be considered a large shrub or small tree.
Prairie Sumac, Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus lanceolata)
Closeup of the fruit ...
This message was edited Oct 3, 2005 5:16 PM
Prairie Sumac, Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus lanceolata)
Beautiful foliage and fruit shown at the first of October before the leaves have changed color ...
Prairie Sumac, Flameleaf Sumac (Rhus lanceolata)
A close look at the fruit ...
(Texas Native ) Bald Cypress, Taxodium distichum. A beautiful specimen in my neighborhood.
Texas madrone (Arbutus xalapensis), Ericaceae Family, Texas native, perennial, evergreen, blooms late winter through spring
This tree is has beautiful mahogany colored bark that peels in the winter. Its small bell-shaped blooms are white to pink and appear in clusters. They are followed by small orangish-red to red fruit that add winter interest.
For more information and great photos of the blooms and berries, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58429/index.html
A view of a specimen at the San Antonio Botanical Garden ...
Texas madrone (Arbutus xalapensis)
A view of the fruit on the tree which appears in clusters (only one left from this cluster) ...
Texas madrone (Arbutus xalapensis)
A closeup view of one of the bumpy fruit that has fallen from the tree and is ripening ...
Mexican Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens), Ericaceae Family, Texas native, evergreen, blooms January through March
Mexican manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens) is also known as point-leaf manzanita, bear-berry, kinnikinnick, pinguica, palo de pinguica and Manzana. It natively inhabits woodlands, sunny woodland edges, rocky slopes, ridges and chaparrals. It often forms dense thickets. In Texas, it can be found in only two populations in the Trans-Pecos, although it grows west to California and north to Utah. Mexican manzanita is a low-maintenance plant and a lovely ornamental with its crooked branches for the landscape, but is difficult to find commercially.
For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/99670/index.html
Its growth habit ...
Mexican Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens)
The bark ...
Mexican Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens
The 10 to 15 white to light pink, waxy, bell-shaped flowers appear in clusters at the ends of branches from January to March.
htop, frostweed, what a lovely thread. There is a large shrub/small tree at my work that has large (fist sized) blossom clusters in a dark periwinkle/lilac. leaves are smallish. is it a laurel, perhaps?
It really sounds like it, does it smell like grape coolaid? If it has that type of scent, it has to be Texas Mountain Laurel.
Thanks caraboof. I agree with Josephine ... probably is Texas Mountain Laurel. They are just starting to put out bloom buds in my zone.
Here's the PlantFIle link:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/37018/
Texas Mountain Laurel, Mescal Bean (Sophora secundiflora), Papilionaceae Family, shrub or small tree, evergreen, blooms in late winter through early spring
Cross-refernced in Texas Gardening: Texas Native Plant Pictures ( Shrubs )
Growth habit ...
Hazel, that is the most beautiful one I have ever seen.
Where was this picture taken? Amazing!
Texas Mountain Laurel, Mescal Bean (Sophora secundiflora)
Bloom buds ...
This message was edited Feb 28, 2006 6:37 PM
