TREES
A-L
Acer \ Maple
Maple trees have always been known for their gorgeous fall color. They range in size from very large to decorative shrub size. We have chosen some of the ones that have proven themselves for the south. They are adaptable to various soils, but perform best in well-drained soils. Plant in full sun or light shade.
A. buergerianum \ Trident Maple
Glossy green leaves are three-lobed (trident-shaped) with paler undersides. Fall color is usually red, but can be orange to yellow. Moderate growth rate to 25' with tendency for several low branching trunks to form a spreading canopy. Can be trained as a single trunk. Zone 6.
A. rubrum ‘Autumn Blaze’ \ Red Maple
Excellent orange-red fall color that persists later than many cultivars. Dense, oval rounded head with ascending branch structure. Rapid grower and more drought tolerant than most of the cultivars. Zone 4.
A. rubrum ‘October Glory’ \ Red Maple
Large, globe-headed tree with glossy green leaves that turn scarlet to crimson in fall. Flowers are red. Rapid grower reaching 50-80’ tall. Drought tolerant. Does best in moist or other poorly drained locations. Zone 3.
A. rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ \ Red Maple
One of the best Red Maple cultivars. Beautiful orange to red fall color. Pyramidal growth habit reaching 45-50' high by 35-40' in width. Zone 4.
A. rubrum var. drummondii \ Drummond Red Maple
µTexas Nativeµ Beautiful fall color. Three to five lobed leaves, generally more broad than long. Best used in acidic soil. Mature height is 100’. Zone 6.
A. truncatum \ Shantung Maple
Leaves emerge a reddish purple, gradually changing to dark glossy green in the summer. Fall color turns to yellow-orange-red. Tree grows 20-25’ tall with a regular branching pattern. Adaptable to various soils, but performs best in well-drained and moist soils. Performs well in clay soils. Zones 4-8.
Carya illinoinensis \ Pecan Tree
µTexas Nativeµ Gray bark becomes reddish brown with age, and develops narrow furrows with rough angled ridges. Leaves are 4-7" long and taper to a sharp point. Fruit bearing in late autumn. Slow grower that reaches 70-100' tall with spread of 40-75'. Best in well drained moist fertile soil. Full sun. Zone 6.
Cercis \ Redbud
Deciduous trees, display early spring flowers on bare limbs. Flowers are small pea-shaped and grow in clusters. Attractive broad rounded leaves are heart shaped at base.
C. canadensis \ Eastern Redbud
µTexas Nativeµ Profusion of pink blooms cover the branches in early spring. This tree grows to about 30’ tall and 25-35’ wide. Zone 4.
C. canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’
Pink flowers in the spring are followed by maroon foliage. Leaves hold the color until summer. Rounded shape tree, growing 20’ high, and about 25’ wide. Zone 4.
C. canadensis var. mexicana \ Mexican Redbud
µTexas Nativeµ Has shiny, stiff, leathery leaves, that are heart-shaped. The flower stalks and young branchlets are densely woolly. Prefers alkaline soil and is more heat and drought tolerant than the Eastern variety. Zones 6-9.
C. canadensis var. texenxsis \ Texas Redbud
µTexas Nativeµ Deciduous, small growing tree to 20’ in height. In early spring, small, 1” flowers bloom purplish pink to white. Needs full sun. Zones 6-9
C. canadensis var. texensis ‘Oklahoma’
Plantsman Preston Warren selected this tree from a group that was growing in the Arbuckle Mountains in Oklahoma. This variety displays deep pink to purple-red blooms in early spring, followed by glossy, heart-shaped leaves. Zone 6-9.
C. canadensis var. texensis ‘Texas White’ \ Texas Whitebud
µTexas Nativeµ White flowering variety of the Texas Redbud. This tree has glossy, thick, leathery green leaves. Beautiful flowers in early spring. Zone 6-9.
C. chinensis ‘Avondale’
A superior selection of the Chinese Redbud, found in Avondale, New Zealand. Deep cerise-pink flowers crowd the naked branches in springtime, making a spectacular sight. Grows 8-10’ tall. Zone 6-9.
Chilopsis \ Desert Willow
Shrub or small tree, usually a multi-trunk.. Blooms on new wood in late spring and sporadically after a good rain. Will tolerate many soils, bu tthey must have good drainage. Full sun. Zones 7-9.
C. linearis
µTexas Nativeµ Flowers are orchid-shaped, pinkish-purple with a white throat. Grows to 30' tall.
C. linearis ‘Brandy’
Solid, deep burgundy orchid-like flowers. Leaves are light green and willowy. Grows 15-20' tall.
C. linearis ‘Bubba’
Flowers are orchid shaped, dark purple with a white throat. Grows to 24’ tall.
C. linearis 'Dark Storm'
Nearly solid, dark pink-magenta flowers.
C. linearis 'White Storm'
Pure white flowers and fine textured foliage
Chionanthus retusus \ Chinese Fringe Tree
Deciduous tree growing 20' tall with magnificent white, spidery-petaled, fragrant flowers in spring providing a spectacular sight. Female trees produce fruit. Leaves are leathery, 3-8" long. Exfoliating bark. Not particular to soil type, just needs to be well-drained. Full sun. Easy to grow. Zones 6-8.
Chionanthus virginicus \ Fringe Tree
µTexas Nativeµ Displays attractive, white flowers in delicate drooping panicles from spring to early summer. Shrub to small tree maturing at 35’. Bluish-black fruit in fall. Will do best in acidic soil. Zone 4-9.
Cotinus coggyrgria ‘Royal Purple’ \ Purple Smoke Tree
(koe-TYE-nus koe-GUY-gree-uh)
Beautiful deep purple foliage turns maroon in fall. Summer blooms are showy, smoky-pink flowers. Reaches 12-15’ tall and 10-12’ wide. Attractive drought tolerant shrub that needs full sun and well-drained soil. Zone 5.
Cotinus obovatus \ American Smoke Tree
Native to limestone regions in North America. Common name reflects the feathery flower clusters that look like pink clouds of smoke in early summer. Autumn puts on the second show with rounded leaves turning orange and red on this large shrub or small tree growing 30-40’ in height with an open, round crown. Zone 5.
Cotinus x ‘Grace’ \ Smoke Tree
Massive pink flowers form on a tree that matures to 20’ tall. Leaves are 3X 4-6” long, that emerge light red then darken to blue-green, then red, orange-yellow in fall. Zone 4.
Cupressus \ Cypress
Evergreen, coniferous trees with tiny scale like leaves. Globular cones are made up of shield-shaped scales. Once established, all are drought tolerant.
C. arizonica \ Arizona Cypress
Leaves are evergreen, pale green to gray-green, occasionally blue-green. Graceful, pyramid growth habit with fine textured foliage. Growth rate is medium but will reach 30-40’ high and 15-20’ wide. Prefers hot dry conditions, well-drained soil and full sun. Zones 7-9.
C. arizonica var. glabra ‘Blue Ice’ \ Smooth Arizona Cypress
Upright, pyramidal growth habit, growing 10-12’ tall. Deep pine scented, soft blue-gray lacy foliage. Zone 7.
C. sempervirens ‘Glauca’ \ Italian Cypress
Attractive bluish-green scale like foliage. Densely branched, narrow columnar form 30-40’ high, 3-4’ wide. Zone 7-9.
Diospyros texana \ Texas Persimmon
µTexas Nativeµ Small to medium size tree, rounded crown, often a crooked trunk. Reaches 20-30’. Flowers in spring with greenish-white blooms. Foliage is deciduous with small, dark green oval leaves. Needs full sun, but will tolerate some shade. Zones 3-6.
Fraxinus americana ‘Autumn Purple’® \ American Ash
A fine shade tree for larger properties, growing to 50-60' in a broadly oval form. Dark green leaves are 8-15" long. Red to reddish-purple autumn foliage. Not particular about soil, even those with poor drainage. Fast grower. Zone 4.
Fraxinus texensis \ Texas Ash
µTexas Nativeµ Preferred choice of species for caliche or limestone soils. Fall colors range from plum to gold. Fast growing, but not weak wood. Mature height 30-45’. Zone 5.
Ginkgo biloba ‘Autumn Gold’ \ Maidenhair Tree
Considered one of the best cultivars, this specially-selected non-fruiting male strain was introduced by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation. Very symmetrical, upright branched form, 35-50’ tall. Lovely deep green leaves turn bright golden yellow in fall. Zone 5.
Ilex decidua ‘Warren’s Red’ \ Possumhaw
µTexas Nativeµ Deciduous shrub growing at moderate rate to 20’ tall. Grows best in full sun. Has glossy green leaves and silver bark. Red fruit persist throughout winter making this a striking addition to the landscape. Zones 5-9. Selected by Plantsman Preston Warren of Oklahoma.
I. vomitoria \ Yaupon Holly
µTexas Nativeµ Upright oval with irregular branching habit. Normally multi-trunked. Gray branches with medium rate of growth. Female plants produce red berries in the fall. Zone 7.
I. vomitoria ‘Pendula’ \ Weeping Yaupon
µTexas Nativeµ Evergreen shrub or small tree with pendulous branches, 10-15’ in height. Pyramidal habit. Heavy bearer of red berries. Sun to part shade. Best form develops with size and age. Zone 7.
I. vomitoria ‘Pride of Houston’
Evergreen shrub reaching 20' in height with upright growing habit. Heavy producer of red berries. Good for specimen or screen. Full sun or part shade and well-drained soil. Zone 7.
I. vomitoria ‘Schillings’ \ Dwarf Yaupon
Small, dark green leaves. More compact form than ‘Nana’. Purplish new shoots. Mature height is 3-4’. Full sun. Zone 7.
I. vomitoria ‘Will Fleming’
Very narrow, columnar-shaped, upright evergreen shrub to 15’ tall, 1-2’ wide. Can be sheared. Zone 7.
Juniperus \ Juniper
You can select a juniper of your choice from groundcovers, shrubs or trees. Evergreen foliage is needlelike, scalelike or both. Junipers can succeed in most every well-drained soil type. They do not like waterlogged soil. Grown best in full sun, but in hot areas will do well with partial shade.
J. ashei \ Ashe Juniper
µTexas Nativeµ Shrub or evergreen tree that rarely grows over 30’ tall. Usually irregular, leaning, low-branched with a fluted and twisting trunk. Develops berry-like cone fruit during early fall. Zones 7-9.
J. chinensis ‘Blue Point’
Neat, blue foliage on a pyramidal shaped, upright juniper that grows to 8’. Zone 3.
J. chinensis ‘Pfitzerana Compacta’ \ Compact Pfitzer
Compact, gray-green foliage on a 2’ high, 4-6’ wide, densely branched shrub. Zone 4.
J. chinensis ‘Sea Green’
Evergreen shrub to 5’ high and 4-6’ wide with vase-shaped, branching habit. Bright green foliage stands out in the landscape. Zone 4.
J. chinensis ‘Spartan’
Rapid grower to 15’ high and 5’ wide. Its densely branched, pyramidal form holds rich, green needle-like foliage. Zone 5.
J. chinensis ‘Torulosa’ \ Hollywood Juniper
Rapid growing, dense erect, twisted branches have an artistic appearance. This 15' high, 10' wide grower displays superb rich green foliage. Accent shrub, good anywhere. Zone 5.
J. conferta ‘Blue Pacific’
Widely spreading branches that reach 6-7’ for a dense mat of erect stems only 1’ high. Blue-green foliage. Zone 5.
J. horizontalis ‘Bar Harbor’
Lightly matted stems to 1’ high hug the ground on spreading branches reaching 10’ wide. Summer foliage is soft gray-green, silvery-plum color in winter. Zone 3.
J. horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’
Prized for the superb silver-blue color to the fine foliage on this 1’ high mound. Branches spread 6-8’ wide, creating a superior groundcover. Zone 3.
J. horizontalis ‘Prince of Wales’
Low branches reach 8” high, spreading 8-10’ to form a starburst pattern. A very dense, plush carpet of bright green foliage to enhance the landscape with purple plum winter color. Zone 3.
J. horizontalis ‘Wiltoni’ \ Blue Rug
One of the finest low growing junipers, 6” high with spreading branches 6-8’. Covered with intense silver-blue foliage. A well mannered, full center growth habit. Zone 3.
J. horizontalis ‘Youngstown’ \ Compact Andorra
Prostrate growth habit to 1’ high, spreading to 6’ wide with tightly knit branches that create a full centered look. Foliage is bright green. Zone 3.
J. procumbens ‘Nana’ \ Japanese Garden
One of the best ground hugging evergreens. Its 1’ high to 6’ wide cushion-like form is covered by dense, bluish-green foliage. Zone 5.
J. sabina ‘Tamariscifolia’ \ Tamarix or Tam Juniper
An improved selection of this favorite, low spreading juniper. Branches of attractive blue-green foliage form a symmetrical 18” high by 8-10’ wide mound. Zone 3.
J. virginiana \ Eastern Red Cedar
µTexas Nativeµ One of the hardiest Junipers, with aromatic dark green to gray green foliage. Forms a medium to large tree of conical habit. Needs full sun. Tolerant of adverse conditions, thrives in limestone based soils. Zone 4.
J. virginiana ‘Skyrocket’
Very narrow, columnar form, averaging 15-20’ high, 2-3’ wide and resembling a skyrocket. Silver-blue foliage is compactly held on the dense branches of this rapid grower. Zone 6.
Koelreuteria paniculata \ Golden Raintree
Deciduous tree to 40’ tall with a 30-40’ spread. Medium to fast grower, reaching 10-12’ over a 5-7 year period. One of the few yellow flowering trees. Provides a magnificent display in the fall. Full sun. Zones 5-9.
Lagerstroemia \ Crapemyrtle
Grows as a deciduous tree or shrub. When trained as a tree, becomes vase shaped with most attractive trunk and branch pattern. Smooth gray or light brown bark flakes off to reveal smooth inner bark, that becomes even more attractive with maturity. Plant in full sun. After established, is drought resistant. Water infrequently, but deeply.
L. indica ‘Candy Stripe’
The picotee type flower is deep pink and edged in white, giving it a candy stripe effect. Upright branching habit. Grows 8-14’ tall. Zone 7.
L. indica ‘Catawba’
This cultivar has glossy dark green mildew resistant foliage, that turns reddish color in fall. Abundant compact blooms are dark purple. Plant grows 12-15’ tall. Zone 6.
L. indica ‘Country Red’
This Crapemyrtle grows upright, 20’ plus, in height. Late bloomer, with deep, dark red flowers. Zone 6.
L. indica ‘Country Red’ Standard
Single trunk tree form.
L. indica ‘Dwarf Pink’
Will grow 6-12' tall with pink flowers. Zone 6.
L. indica ‘Royalty’
Deep purple flowers adorn this deciduous flowering shrub in summer. Mature height is 6-12’. Zone 6.
L. indica ‘Snow Baby’
Short variety growing 5-6’ tall with white flowers.
L. indica 'True Blue'
Dwarf upright branched form, 5' high and 4' wide. Shrub is covered with bluish-lavender blooms. Rich green foliage. Zone 7.
L. indica ‘Victor’
This very dwarf, compact crapemyrtle grows 3-5X3-5’. Dark red flowers bloom late summer. In the fall, leaves turn reddish-yellow. Zone 6.
L. indica 'Watermelon Red'
Clusters of vivid red flowers on a shrubby form. Mature height is 15-20'. Zone 6.
L. indica 'Whit I' Raspberry Sundae® PP10297
Beautiful raspberry red flowers with white margins. New foliage is bronze and turns to a medium green at maturity. Grows 15’ or more, in almost columnar shape. Zone 6.
L. indica 'Whit II' Dynamite® PP10296
Upright tree form (may be single or multi-trunked) reaching 15’ or more. Cherry red flowers will take on flecks of white after heavy cloud coverage or shade. Highly mildew resistant. Zone 6.
L. indica 'Whit III' Pink Velour® PP10314
Shrill pink flowers engulf the distinctly dark wine-colored foliage that persists most of the season. Considered a large shrub or a small tree, this form reaches 12’ and higher. Zone 6.
L. indica 'Whit VI' Burgundy Cotton® PPAF
Broad upright large shrub or small tree that displays gorgeous tufts of white flowers that turn pink on the underside during cloudy or cool conditions. New growth is wine red and remains that way until turning green during flowering. Reaches 12’ or taller. Zone 6.
L. x ‘Acoma’
Low spreading variety reaching 5-10’ tall. White 6-7” blooms continue all summer. Fall leaf color is red-purple. Splendid small tree with recurrent flowers. Mildew resistant.
L. x ‘Centennial Spirit’
The electric red blooms remain unfaded with age and are as magnificent as new blooms. This upright, multi-stemmed tree grows 10-20’ in height in a torch-like manner. Offers some mildew resistance and red-orange fall foliage tones. Full sun. Zone 6.
L. x ‘Muskogee’
Abundant, medium-size, light lavender flowers begin blooming early summer and last until fall. Highly mildew resistant. Grows over 20' tall. Zone 6.
L. x fauriei ‘Hopi’
U.S. National Arboretum Hybrid Cultivar. Spreading, semi-dwarf, multiple-stemmed. Panicles are medium pink. Young leaves are glabrous, becoming dark green, turning bright orange-red to dark red in autumn. Mildew resistant. Very hardy. Grows 8-10’ high and as wide. Zone 6.
L. x fauriei ‘Miami’
Tall upright tree to 20’ or more. Good grower with dark pink blooms from early summer to early fall at which time foliage turns orange colored.
L. x fauriei ‘Natchez’
Large shrub or small tree, 20-25’ high and wide. Dark cinnamon-brown, mottled, exfoliating trunk bark that remains spectacular throughout the year. Glossy, dark green leaves turn orange and red in fall. Pure white flowers. Zone 6.
L. x fauriei 'Natchez' Standard/Single Trunk
Single-trunk form.
Liquidambar styraciflua \ Sweetgum
µTexas Nativeµ Tree develops into a stately pyramidal shape. Handsome maple-like foliage has striking autumn color in shades of yellow, orange, reds and purple. Mature height can reach 100’. Prefers acidic soil but will grow in black clay. Zone 5-9.
