Plant A Sun-Loving Tree - Four drought-tolerant trees and plants your landscape will love

Plant A
Sun-Loving Tree
Four drought-tolerant trees and
plants your landscape will love

BY RANDY RODGERS

As our Central and South Texas landscapes suffer through the sting of the 2008 drought, our focus has shifted from drainage problems to finding trees and plants for lawns and gardens that are under mandatory water use restrictions. But have no fear: There are many great native trees and plants available, and other hardy and adaptable ones from other areas, which can add interest and color to your landscape while faring well with less water.

Four great trees to consider for your move toward a more drought-tolerant landscape are the Mexican sycamore, desert willow, Mexican olive and chitalpa.

The Mexican sycamore (plantanus Mexicana) has become more popular in recent years for use as a fast-growing shade tree. Availability is better, and performance of recently installed trees has been noticeably more successful, than the more commonly planted sycamore varieties, which fare poorly in drought conditions. The rapid-growing Mexican native can reach a height of 60 feet. This alkaline-loving tree has beautiful large soft green leaves up to 8-inches across, sporting beautiful snow-white undersides, which are sensational when the wind blows.

The desert willow (chilopsis linearis) has been a stellar performer in drought conditions this year and has continually produced striking trumpet-shaped pink to lavender flowers above its willow-shaped leaves. This plant seems to have actually enjoyed the heat and dry conditions. When given full sun, these trees produce beautiful twisted trunk shapes. Some variations of the orchid-like bloom have been developed, including one variety called Burgundy desert willow, which produces a profusion of interesting burgundy-colored flowers. Once established, this tree can weather extended drought conditions with little or no care and will reach a height of about 25 feet. A Mexican olive (cordia boissieri) has anchored the northwest corner of the Alamo for many years. The bulbous-shaped crown of the 20 foot specimen is covered for almost nine months of the year with frilly white flowers that make the word “fiesta” pop into your mind. This tree loves a bout with a drought and can be used in many areas of Texas, as long as the roots can avoid excessive moisture. In an exceptionally cold winter, some damage may occur, but count on this flowering tree to have your neighbors talking about your garden.

The chitalpa (chitalpa tashkentensis) is the last of the four drought-tolerant trees we are recommending that you consider adding to your garden. This beautiful sub-tree can reach a height of 20 feet and regularly produces a mass of beautiful soft pink or white blooms. This twisted multi-trunk tree will delight you, but give this bloomer plenty of room to grow as it gets very wide (up to 20 feet) and can require frequent pruning to maintain its shape.

Always remember to provide adequate moisture for newly planted drought-tolerant trees and shrubs until they can establish a root system that will sustain them.

Select locations that will allow the tree to prosper and grow. For all four of the trees recommended, place them far enough from other shade trees to enable them to continue to develop with full-sun exposure. Then enjoy these sun-loving, drought-tolerant trees as they bring shade and beauty to your garden.