Add Some Color to Your Landscape
As longer days of sunshine summon us outside, the prettiest trees in Texas begin to show their true colors, dropping hints that spring has arrived. Whether you are looking for the perfect photo opportunity or a beautiful backdrop for a picnic, these are the trees to keep your eye on when warmer weather rolls around.
Redbud
Texas Redbud trees enthusiastically announce spring with a vibrant cloud of pink and purple blooms. As one of the most picturesque signs of the season with their heart-shaped leaves and brilliant buds, these are the perfect ornamental trees to brighten up any yard or garden. Redbuds can withstand drought and easily adapt in alkaline soil conditions, reaching heights of up to 20 feet tall.
Crepe Myrtle
Available in an array of sizes and colors, the Crepe Myrtle is a southern charmer with its brilliant blooms in both the summer and fall. Because of its extra long blooming period, it has been called the “flowering tree of 100 days.” Add a dwarf variety as a standout addition to a landscape, or plant a large Crepe Myrtle tree as a front-yard focal point. These flowering beauties love sunlight and can grow up to 25 feet tall.
Desert Willow
Great for the low maintenance gardener, this hearty desert tree will survive in dry soil conditions with full sun in the Texas heat. A well-drained, raised bed is the best location to plant desert willows, especially in areas where annual rainfall is greater than 30 inches. Its pink and violet orchid-like flowers are members of the bignonia family. Surprisingly, this species is not related to the willow, as the name might suggest.
Vitex
You’ll know a Vitex tree by its ostentatious canopy of purple flowers it produces in the summer and fall months. The Vitex is a hardy tree that boasts aromatic green leaves and grows quickly in most climate and soil conditions. This gorgeous Southern native grows about one foot per year, reaching anywhere between 10 and 20 feet tall when it is fully grown.
Magnolia
The prominent, large white flowers of magnolia trees are synonymous with Southern style. Little Gem Magnolias, which produce flowers for six months, make a stunning addition to dress up an indoor garden or smaller landscape. Larger varieties like the DD Blanchard Southern Magnolia will flourish as the glorious centerpiece of a yard, standing 60-70 feet tall.
