Texas Mountain Laurel

Sophora Secundiflora

This slow growing evergreen may be grown as a medium to large shrub or trained to a single or multi-trunk tree. A typical mature size is 15 feet high and 10 feet wide. Glossy dark leaves up to 5 inches long are divided into seven to nine 1-inch rounded leaflets. Large clusters of showy purple flowers hang heavy on the plant in March and April, filling the air with the fragrance of grape Kool-Aid. You can encourage a faster growth rate by increasing the amount of water supplied to the tree during the summer months.

Exposure: sun or partial sun
Flower Color: purple, lavender, violet, rarely white
Blooming Period: spring
Fruit Characteristics: bean pod
Height: 15 to 35 feet
Width: 10 feet
Plant Character: evergreen
Heat Tolerance: high
Soil Requirements: neutral to alkaline
USDA Hardiness Zone: 8