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How to Care for Texas Mountain Laurel
How to Care for Texas Mountain Laurel. Texas mountain laurel, known botanically as Sophora secundiflora, is an ornamental evergreen tree that is native to North America. The tree is prized for its drought-resistance and glossy, dark-green foliage. In the spring, Texas mountain laurel puts on a show for the senses with its pendulous clusters of...
Texas mountain laurel, known botanically as Sophora secundiflora, is an ornamental evergreen tree that is native to North America. The tree is prized for its drought-resistance and glossy, dark-green foliage. In the spring, Texas mountain laurel puts on a show for the senses with its pendulous clusters of fragrant purple flowers. Despite its lavish beauty, caring for your Texas mountain laurel is simple.
Things You'll Need
Garden hose
Balanced, water-soluble fertilizer
Insecticidal spray (if needed)
Pruning shears or loppers
Water Texas mountain laurel trees infrequently to prevent the soil around them from drying out completely. Provide the trees with 1 inch of supplemental irrigation in the absence of rain for three or more weeks. Texas mountain laurel trees usually perform best when watered just once a month.
Fertilize the plant twice each growing season to ensure a growth rate of up to 2 feet per year. Apply the first fertilizer application in the early spring, before new growth is observed; apply the second fertilizer application in the early summer. For best results, fertilize the tree with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer according to label directions.
Monitor Texas mountain laurel trees for problems with common insect pests such as borers and Uresiphita reversalis caterpillars. Treat affected trees with an insecticidal spray if necessary to restore their health. Contact your local agricultural extension office for additional prevention and treatment information.
Prune your Texas mountain laurel trees only when it is necessary to remove diseased, damaged or dead branches and foliage. Use a pair of sharpened and sterilized pruning shears or loppers to make a clean pruning cut just outside of the branch's collar.
Tips & Warnings
Start a new Texas mountain laurel tree from seed. Collect the seedpods when they fall from your tree. Nick the seeds with a nail file and soak them in water for 24 hours before planting them in a prepared planting location. Note that it may take up to a year for the seeds to germinate and sprout.
Texas mountain laurels produce seedpods that contain poisonous red berries, which can cause hallucinations when ingested.
