Native & adapted

Texas mountain laurel

Dermatophyllum secundiflorum

Also known as Mescal bean · Sophora secundiflora · Calia secundiflora

A slow, tidy evergreen with glossy leaves and purple flower clusters in late winter that smell like grape soda. One of the toughest small trees for a hot Phoenix yard.

Arid adaptedPollinatorEvergreenLow waterFloweringThornless

Landscape layersLower canopy · Understory · Hedging

Mature size

10–15 ft tall and 8–10 ft wide, slowly

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b · High desert · USDA 6a–8b

Plant spacing

8–10 ft apart; 5 ft from walls

Frost

Hardy to about 10°F with no damage.

Special categories

ARID ADAPTED · POLLINATOR ATTRACTING

Hardiness guidance

USDA 7b–11; hardy to about 10°F

Winter chill

None

Typical harvest

Not a food plant.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Fast-draining soil; tolerates rocky, alkaline and caliche-rich ground.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

Any exposure. Works well near patios and entries where the spring flowers can be smelled.

Cold hardiness

Hardy here

Hardy to about 5°F. Never needs frost protection in Phoenix.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 5°F

Heat tolerance

Takes full sun and heat

Full sun, west exposures included. It also takes part shade, so it works almost anywhere.

Sources:

amwua.org

Right plant, right place

Will Texas mountain laurel grow at your Arizona property?

Grows slowly, so start with the largest plant budget allows. Can be trained as a multi-trunk small tree or left as a large shrub.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b, High desert · USDA 6a–8b.

Light

Sun exposure

Full sun to light shade; handles reflected heat once established.

Water

Irrigation

Low. Deep water every 2 to 3 weeks in summer once established.

Fruit set

Pollination

Bees work the flowers from February to April.

Harvest

How to use it

Not edible. The bright red seeds are poisonous, so keep pods away from children and pets.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Texas mountain laurel thrive

1
Water deeply and infrequently; it dislikes constantly wet roots.
2
Prune lightly after flowering to raise the canopy into a small tree.
3
Watch for genista caterpillars in spring and summer; pick them off or use Bt.
4
Collect and discard seed pods where children play.

Read the horticultural reference ↗