In our area, this is usually late April or early May. The old adage “the first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap” is appropriate for this gorgeous evergreen that can grow to 15’ by 15’.  Given adequate care, the Texas Mountain Laurel is a moderate grower, and can grow 1’-2’ per year. The flowers are cup shaped and the stamens inside arch over and are attached to the flower cup until mature. The bloom clusters can be 3″ to 7″ long, appearing in February into March, and are very showy, but they are poisonous if ingested. In the spring, Texas Mountain Laurel produces bright purple, drooping clusters of fragrant flowers. One of the things I love about Texas Mountain Laurels, besides those beautiful aromatic blossoms, is how it can be kept a manageable size with a little bit of trimming. Hardy in U.S. hardiness zones 9-11, Texas mountain laurel can be a finicky or reluctant bloomer. I'm trying to plant several trees called Bumelia lanuginosa (synonym: Sideroxylon langinosum). These plants bloom in spring, then in midsummer to fall they begin to form the flower buds of the next season. In general, native plants do not need to be fertilized—one of the many advantages for planting native. In the Smokies the Laurel bloom primarily during May, while the Rhododendron come along in June and July. Mountain laurel does not bloom for long. Are you fertilizing it? A Texas mountain laurel growing at a moderate rate may bloom when it reaches four to five feet, but a heavily fertilized plant may have to be seven or eight feet tall. It has dark green, glossy leaves. Why does my Texas mountain laurel refuse to bloom? By mid summer, the flowers fade and give rise to fuzzy, tan colored seed pods. 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. I have called all the nurseries in the southern half of this state, including The Natural Garden...view the full question and answer. If you’d like to learn more about growing Texas mountain laurels in the landscape, the following article can help get you started. They were doing well but (sad to say) many were neglected during a multi-year drought. A light pruning right after they bloom is acceptable, but do not continue to prune throughout the year, or you will be cutting off next year’s flower buds! When planting Texas Mountain Laurels, keep in mind that they only bloom every other year, in the off year the same plant grows stamens (pollen makers). It puts me in mind of grape bubble gum. The Laurel Loop is a mixed blessing – the Mountain Laurels, evergreen shrubs that can grow to heights of 15’- 20’ or more in the wild, provide excellent shade. If yo… The mountain laurels are in bloom in Central Texas. However, it’s a very popular landscape specimen can be used in both Blackland clays and sandy soils. May 16, 2016 | Permalink. DEAR NEIL: We have two Texas mountain laurels that have been in the landscape for five years. Watch for Genista caterpillars which may be found feeding on the new growth in the spring and fall. The problem is that the portion of the plant that is in the shade usually doesn’t bloom. Texas mountain laurel's blooms appear in early spring. Mountain laurels should only be pruned at trunk branches to shape (if necessary). To make seed, it must make flowers, but if it doesn't feel just a little bit insecure about its future, it won't expend the considerable energy to create the flowers.". Fast-growing Texas mountain laurels, however, are slow to begin blooming. Dear Neil: We have two Texas mountain laurels that have been in the landscape for five years. This diss track says Megan Thee Stallion isn't from Houston, Texas is booming with 'Best Places to Retire,' according to U.S. News, Houston trades parade for food giveaway this Thanksgiving, These 5 Texas companies got slapped with the biggest safety fines, 9 legendary Houston businesses we’ll miss, Need gift ideas? The Texas mountain laurel is in the pea family, interestingly enough. I think they are unrelated, Jan. The Texas Mountain Laurel is an evergreen native tree that is quite drought tolerant, once established. Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is flowering broadleaf evergreen shrub with a multi-stemmed growth habit. What’s that fragrance, you say? Know of any?view the full question and answer, Question: February 24, 2005 - PLEASE HELP! Another addition to this drought AND deer resistant ensemble would be New Gold or Chapel Hill Lantana to complete the color ‘palette’! If the flowers are not deadheaded, nondescri… The lower the elevation and latitude, the earlier the mountain laurel blooms. What can we Is there anything we can do to make it bloom next year? Excellent drainage is a must for this tree, as it will suffer in heavy soils or areas which are seasonally wet. The large clusters – as long as 6 inches – of showy flowers appear in early spring, and sadly, bloom for just a few weeks before withering and taking their scent away. Unfortunately, however, the grape-scented flowers don't last long. BARBARA MEDFORD, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, UT. Answer: It sounds like everything should be ideal for your Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel) to bloom. Just wait until AFTER the tree has bloomed to trim! In the Deep South, in USDA zone 8, flowering commences in mid-April and peaks just before May 1. in Horticulture from Ohio State University, a TMCNP and a TCLP from Texas Association of Nurserymen, a Specialist in Urban Trees Certification from Texas A&M, and is a Certified Arborist. The shrub keeps its foliage year-round, but keep an eye out in May and June for umbrella-like flowers that range in … I’ll let you in on a little secret: Texas mountain laurels rarely, if ever, have to be pruned. In one day, they can defoliate a tree, so be sure to apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) at the first outbreak. Lawn fertilizer, which possibly is being spread a little farther than the lawn, is high in nitrogen for green leaves (or blades) of grass. So if it’s mountain laurels, pomegranate, plum, redbud, Mexican buckeye or viburnum, wait until the flowers have gone and new leaves have fully expanded before pruning. April 9, 2008 Updated: Aug. 8, 2011 10:40 p.m. Facebook Twitter Email. It is 4- to 5-feet tall and 3- to 4-feet wide, and healthy. Here's your one-stop for holiday deals in H-Town. However, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators love their nectar! They usually bloom in March, and the blooming period may last 3-4 weeks. Look for the flowers quickly. Native to Central Texas, this member of the Pea family tends to be a multi trunked, somewhat slow growing plant. If you are, don't do it! Texas mountain laurel is a tough evergreen shrub or small tree known for its attractive, fragrant flowers and extreme drought hardiness. Texas Mountain Laurels may be pruned for shape, usually removing the branches which form horizontally in order to give it a more sturdy upright form. One employee was trapped inside a kiln and died when the machine was fired up. Question: We have a Texas mountain laurel that gets full sunlight, but does not bloom. In south-central Texas, mountain laurel is commonly found on well-drained Hill Country limestone. Here is a quote from a previous question about native plants failing to bloom: "The problem with flowering shrubs that are not flowering, native or not, is often too little sunshine or too much lawn fertilizer. Mountain Laurel. One of the Featured Photographs at the William Britten Gallery is Path to Serenity , which shows a hillside of Mountain Laurel blooming along the trail to Spruce Flat Falls. If in doubt, plant it high, and NEVER plant it too deep. It is 4- to 5-feet tall and 3- to 4-feet wide, and healthy. Does it smell like Grape NeHi Soda? Beginning in late spring and early summer, clusters of delicate blooms open in umbrella-like fashion in red, pink or white. Mountain laurels on my property were present when we purchased the land some 13 years ago. Establishment can take up to three years, as it does with many trees. Comments. Texas Mountain Laurels bloom one year old wood... so if you trimmed yours in the fall, you have cut off flower opportunities! The Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) is a Central Texas native that opens its beautiful purple blooms in February and March and intoxicates the senses. They are deep blue to purple and hang on … This is the time of year I walk around and any time I see a mountain laurel I take in a long, deep breath. She holds a B.S. Once it’s gone you will have missed an infrequent flower and a rare natural event. Why wade through a pile of emails when you can check out this Houston Holiday Shopping Guide... How America's deadliest serial killer went undetected for more than 40... Trump finds sympathetic ear, few questions with Fox's Bartiromo as his... 5 Christmas songs that should be banned from the radio, This diss track says Megan Thee Stallion isn't from Houston, Texas named second 'most hated' state in America, These are the 10 best Texas cities for retirement, How America's deadliest serial killer went undetected for more than 40 years, Trump finds sympathetic ear, few questions with Fox's Bartiromo as his first post-election interviewer, These 5 Christmas songs should be banned from the radio. They usually bloom in March, and the blooming period may last 3-4 weeks. They bloomed the first year, but they haven't bloomed since. The common names include but are not limited to: Ironwood, Chittamwood, Gum Elastic, Wooly Bumilia, Gum Bumilia,Woolybucket Bumilia, Woolybuckthorn, Gum Woolybucket, False Buckthorn, and Coma. Texas Mountain Laurels are slow growers with dark green, glossy, compound leaves and drooping clusters of purply-blue flowers. Texas mountain laurel’s glossy, dark green leaves are evergreen and leathery. Now many are spindly (“leggy”) and seem to not be responding to consistent watering. Shrubs bloom anytime from mid-April to the summer solstice. Flowers range from dark violet to bluish-lavender to, rarely, white and waft a powerful, sweet, grape fragrance over considerable distances. These branches should be pruned back to the trunk. Money for the parade was used to give out free Thanksgiving meals to Houstonians. A good practice is to dig the hole and fill it with water before you plant to be sure it will drain in a reasonable length of time. Mary Kay is an asset to Backbone and a wealth of knowledge! Question: We have a Texas mountain laurel that gets full sunlight, but does not bloom. Mountain Laurel can be spotted as well in the Discovery Garden, Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, and Native Flora Garden. A plant you wish to flower but give too much nitrogen will get lazy and fail to bloom. These are the iconic and supremely Houston operations we’ll miss the most. It makes me think they have a … They bloomed the first year, but they haven’t bloomed since. Mountain-laurel is in bloom in the Laurel Highlands! Many customers come in and ask for her by name for all their plant questions. It's no wonder why, as Mary Kay has 47 years of experience in the horticulture field. Plant Texas Mountain Laurel with Texas Sage or Silver Bush Germander for contrasting foliage, and Pink Gulf Muhly grass for fall color. Its flowers have a sweet fragrance that resembles grape Kool-Aid™. Mountain Laurel is an evergreen shrub that grows in acidic soil in upland areas. I LOVE the smell when mountain laurels are blooming. Neither has anyone else commented on the similarity of the two odors as far as I know. 1 of 3 Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora) is a hardy landscape tree that blooms in late February and early march. The flowers resemble wisteria and bloom early in spring. That wonderful grape scent is coming from our native Texas Mountain Laurel. The Texas Mountain Laurel is an evergreen native tree that is quite drought tolerant, once established. The Mountain Laurel are similar to, and often mistaken for, Rhododendron. Their tops may also be sheared to promote fuller growth, but do not cut back into the woody growth, as there are fewer lateral buds there to fill in the space. I have been looking without success to find if lilac bushes and Texas Mountain Laurels are related in any way but have had not any luck to date. Also, Texas mountain laurel can be attacked by the Genista caterpillar. Although I've seen some larger, most Texas Mountain Laurels will grow to about 12 -15 feet. This shade-loving shrub produces clusters of rose, pink, or white flowers with purple markings in late May to early June. The most common reason for no flowers on … In zone 7, flowering starts around May 1 and peaks in the second week. Deer steer clear of Texas Mountain Laurel. Sun or shade; evergreen, with grape-scented flower clusters in March and April. More on Native Trees from Mr. Smarty Plants, Question: December 04, 2003 — How much water does the live oak absorb from the soil per day?view the full question and answer, Question: October 05, 2004 - I'm looking for a source for native Texas maple keys. So, plant at least two, one with flowers this year, and one with long stringy things. Establishment can take up to three years, as it does with many trees. A plant has just one goal in life and that is to reproduce itself. Texas mountain laurel blooms in the spring, producing its flowers on the growth of the previous year. Mountain Laurel is in bloom right now in many of our state parks. Why doesn't my Texas mountain laurel bloom? Because a single bush can produce many flowers, a hillside of blooming mountain laurel looks spectacular. Obviously, if you have it in full sun in Austin, that is not the problem. Additionally, it is the state flower of both Connecticut and Pennsylvania. The flowers smell like grape soda. What can we Protect Tree Trunks from Damage from Deer. It's hard to believe, but Texas has been named the second 'most hated' state in the U.S. Megan Thee Liar? However, Mr. SP has one question? Spraying the new growth weekly with either organic product called Bt or Spinosad will prevent feeding damage to this beautiful tree. As i know another addition to this beautiful tree bloom next year to 4-feet wide, and blooming., mountain laurel 's blooms appear in early spring bloom early in spring question and answer,:! Twitter Email or early May colored seed pods at trunk branches to shape ( if ). With flowers this year, but does not bloom spring, Texas mountain laurels on property. 'M trying to plant several trees called Bumelia lanuginosa ( synonym: Sideroxylon langinosum.! Earlier the mountain laurel is in bloom right now in many of our state parks laurels on my property present! 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