Best-smelling tree in Texas: Sophora secundiflora
In my 18 years in Austin, I cannot remember the Texas mountain laurels blooming as beautifully as they are doing this spring. Look—even as a parking-lot tree surrounded by cars it’s stunning. This one, in an office complex near my house, has been catching my eye as I drive past every day.
Cascades of purple blossoms contrast with the dark-green, shiny leaves, and from several feet away you can smell the grape Kool-Aid scent.
Bees hum busily as they climb in and out of the dangling flowers.
Why is this spring, following a year of drought (in fact, we’re not out of it yet, despite recent rains), shaping up to be so spectacular? Perhaps our plants are responding with gratitude to the reprieve, as are we gardeners.
By the way, my blog Digging is a finalist for Best Gardening Blog in the Readers’ Choice Awards at About.com. I’d love to have your vote. You can vote once a day (it’s on a 24-hour cycle) until March 21. So vote early and often! Thanks for your support! (And thank you to Pamela Price for the vote graphic.) Click to VOTE.
All material © 2006-2012 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
It certainly has been their year, but I fear the rain may have put an end to the show.
I have thought of a different theory, not as nice. Maybe the trees are giving one great push for reproduction before their demise. I hope this isn’t true. It sure is beautiful. So many blooms.
Texas mountain laurel is an extremely tough, native tree. I didn’t see any signs of stress last summer in them, so I don’t think they’re trying to reproduce before expiring. Even so, I imagine the exuberant flowering is a response to improved weather conditions. —Pam
They are spectacular when covered in blooms. They remind me a little of our Tibouchinas. Love those purple flowers.
I know that some trees flower heavily in response to stress, perhaps feeling threatened the urge to spread DNA with a new generation is powerful.
I read recently on a gardening blog (and I can’t for the life of me remember whose it was) that there is a silver-leaved variety of Texas mountain laurel called “Silver Peso”. The blooms are the same and, reportedly, Silver Peso is even more drought resistant than the dark green leaved variety that we’re used to seeing. The photograph was gorgeous; the purple blooms against those truly silvery leaves!I want to plant Silver Peso near my dark green one. I think the contrast would be stunning and offer year round interest in the garden as well. Has anyone seen the silver leaved variety?
Sandy, I recently wrote a post about ‘Silver Peso’ Texas mountain laurel. Click for more info. —Pam
In HS, my parents took me from Denver down to Carlsbad Caverns at spring break, and I remember driving with the windows open, and we enjoyed the subtle “grape kool-aid” smell in the warm breeze on every bend in the road, to and from the caverns. Truly a favorite, and the one you saw in the parking lot has such nice form.
Silver Peso – it and “Sierra Silver” thrive out in NM and AZ; perhaps its gray, fuzzy leaves reflect the death star’s rays better?
David, you’re the first person I’ve heard describe the fragrance of Texas mountain laurel as “subtle.” Ha! I do love it though. —Pam
In addition to the multitude of blooms, my Mountain Laurel blooms were ginormous. The plant was covered in large balls of silky purple flowers. They were fabulous to touch provided they didn’t have a resident bee.
They have been beautiful this year. And, the ones around here held up well last summer.
I’d love to see a Silver Peso one, too. I bet it is pretty.
It really is a favorite with anyone who’s seen them in bloom.
I planted a small ‘Silver Peso’ here last fall. It has two tiny blooms, but I don’t think they will photo well this year. I purchased mine at Rainbow Gardens #1 on Thousand Oaks in San Antonio.
Pretty blooms!! I love purple.
I love the beautiful deep purple blooms. I don’t think I have any purple in my garden…I will have to add some to the garden!
Yes, they are indeed beautiful! I can only imagine the scent–reminds me of my large German Irises. They have a strong scent of Grape, too. How lucky to drive by that scene every day. Enjoy!
Isn’t that just a gorgeous tree! How nice you get to enjoy it. I did just vote for your blog, you deserve the award.
Aw, thanks, Darla! I really appreciate it. —Pam