Green in the winter

Green Side Up

A few days ago, my wife remarked that even though everything looked grey and beige outside, there was a remarkable variety of green shrubs and trees. We in Texas are blessed with an amazing number of native plants that provide landscape interest in all seasons. A quick look at available evergreens will give us an idea for landscape renovations.

The live oak is one of the three (or four according to some) groups of our native oaks. The deciduous oaks include the Red Oaks which have sharply lobed leaves and the White Oaks whose leaves are more rounded. Live oaks include the Willow Oaks which have longer and narrower leaves than the Live Oaks we know in our area. Willow Oaks are native to far east Texas. Our Live Oaks have more nearly oval leaves that are dark green, thick and almost waxy looking. Live Oaks can grow to be 40 feet tall and 75 feet wide which is a big consideration when planting them. Live Oaks are susceptible to oak wilt. They often grow in groups called motts, and their roots become intertwined. Unfortunately, this grafting not only allows for sharing of nutrients but also sharing of pathogens.

When Southern Magnolia trees are encountered in the landscape, their bold statement is unmistakable. These natives of southeast Texas can grow up to 80 feet in height. The large white flowers that appear in late spring to midsummer are very fragrant. It is difficult to grow anything under Southern Magnolias because of their almost constant leaf drop. Some consider them to be messy trees. Other magnolias are deciduous but make no less a bold statement with their pink and white flowers that often appear before leaves emerge. Magnolias do not tolerate hot dry conditions well, but they have a good growth rate and are not bothered by many pests.

The group of trees we commonly refer to as cedars are another group of evergreens but are actually junipers. The mountain cedar, or more accurately the Ashe Juniper, is commonly encountered east and south of our area. Ranchers and farmers often consider this tree to be a pest because of its invasive nature. The Eastern Red Cedar is primarily native to areas east of here but is available for landscape cultivation. Unlike the Ashe Juniper which has a multiple trunk growth habit, the Eastern Red Cedar has a single trunk, upright growth habit and can grow to a height of 50 feet. Another “cedar” is unrelated to the others and is actually a Tamarix. This is the much-maligned Salt Cedar. This native of the Mediterranean region was introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture between 1899 and 1915 as a windbreak and erosion control. It can grow in a variety of conditions and rival the mesquite in the depth of its root system. ›

The hollies are another group of evergreen plants found both in nature and in our landscapes. Yaupon Hollies are native to Southeast Texas but are widely used as local landscape plants. Once established they are drought resistant and are not particular about the soils in which they grow. The red berries that are borne by the female plants are an attractive addition to the winter landscape. Cedar waxwings and other birds use them for food in late fall and winter. The Yaupon’s wood is somewhat brittle, and its twigs are reminiscent of but are not actually thorns. A number of varieties of Yaupon holly have been developed including dwarfs. Another holly that is gaining favor as a landscape plant is the compact Nellie R. Stevens. This plant will remain compact in sun but will tolerate some shade. It is a very durable plant. The Buford Holly is another frequently encountered shrub. This native to China and Korea grows in any soil and any exposure with good drainage.

Although we have no native pines in our area, they are often planted in the landscape. Afghan (Eldarica) Pines are tolerant of most soils, fast growing and drought tolerant and do better in drier parts of the state. Ponderosa pines are more tolerant of clay and alkaline soils. ››