Trees

Cercis canadensis

The Eastern Redbud produces an extremly attractive rosy-pink flower in the spring just before the dark green heart-shaped leaves begin to emerge. The Redbud generally blooms earlier than most plants providing some early spring color. The bark has a smooth gray to black-brown color and the tree, though considered small, can reach up to 30 feet tall and 25-35 feet in width. Cercis canadensis has some drought tolerance when well established and portrays a showy yellow foliage in the fall.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5-9
Plant Use: Flowering Tree
Exposure: Full Sun-Part Shade
Water Requirements: Medium

X Cupressocyparis leylandii

 

X Cupressocyparis leylandii is an intergeneric cross between Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (Alaskan Cedar) and Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) that was found in England in the 1800's. The Leyland Cypress is a fast growing tree reaching up to heights of 60-70 feet, usually seen at 40-50 feet tall and widths of 8-15 feet. It produces small cones composed of scales and the leaves are very similar in looks to the Arborvitae tree. Its pyramidal form makes it popular in the Southern Coastal areas as a cut christmas tree. The Leyland Cypress accepts a wide variety of soil and climate conditions even though bagworms may be a problem. Leyland Cypress grows well in the Houston area.

Hardiness: Zone 6b
Plant Use: tree
Exposure: Sun
Water Requirements: Medium

Magnolia grandiflora
'Little Gem'
Little Gem Magnolia

The Little Gem Magnolia grows in a more compact and upright form than other Southern Magnolias; with small elliptic to oval dark green leaves with characteristic long rusty-brown undersides. The small, white flowers bloom profusely in the early and late summer. Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' grows to be 20-25 feet in height and 10-15 feet in width.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 7-9
Plant Use: Tree
Exposure: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Medium

X Chitalpa tashkentensis

 

The X Chitalpa tashkentensis 'Pink Dawn' leaves are 4-5 inches long and 1 inch in width and the flowers are trumpet shaped pale-lavender to pink flowers with pale yellow throats. The flowers of the Pink Dawn appear late Spring to early Fall. The 'Pink Dawn' is an intergeneric hybrid from Russia between Catalpa bignonioides and Chilopsis linearis Desert Willow, the end result is a mix of these two species. This deciduous tree is fast growing and can reach 15-20 feet in height and width.

Hardiness: Zones 6-8
Plant Use: Flowering Tree
Exposure: Full Sun
Water Requirements: Low - Medium