"Top 10 Small Ornamental Trees for San Antonio!
Custom Plant Information by:
Wilson Landscape Nursery & Florist- Helotes, Texas
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We at Wilson's hope that you find this plant information to be helpful and interesting. Let us know if we can help you further as you search for that special tree. Our information is based upon decades of loving trees, learning about trees, growing trees, maintaining trees, talking about trees, selling trees. planting trees, watching trees grow, enjoying the beauty of trees and being grateful to God for creating trees! We have grown and tested our trees everywhere imaginable so you can be sure your new tree will thrive! In the hill country, in the valley, in full sun or on the moon, our trees can survive anywhere!
“The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.” “And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 2:9; 1:12)
When I think of small ornamental trees, I think of color. Large shade trees for shade--small ornamental trees for color. With a few possible exceptions, you do not get spectacular flowers from large shade trees. Shade trees make up for their lack of flowers by offering impressive fall foliage and soothing shade. But you do get awesome flowers from small ornamental trees. To see a Texas Redbud in early spring is a beautiful sight. Each of the small ornamental trees listed here has its own special time to impress. First comes the Texas Redbud in late winter, very early spring. Then the Mountain Laurels are not far behind. A few weeks later the Anacacho Orchid Tree covers itself in white. By early summer the Crepe Myrtles show off their various colors and the American Smoke Tree looks awesome among its colorful leaves and misty spray. The Vitex and the Pomegranate also bloom during this period. The Mexican Olive and Desert Willow love the summer heat and the Yaupon Holly becomes red with berries in fall and winter while the Pomegranate shows off its edible fruit.
See the individual plant information sheets for more detailed information on each individual tree. Other lists may be of interest to you as well, such as, “ Top Twenty Shade Trees for the San Antonio Area.”
Keep in mind that this ranking depends upon how well a particular tree blends into your own landscape. For example, many might rank the Crepe Myrtle as their number #1 choice; however, if you already have Crepe Myrtles in your yard, and Crepe Myrtles are common in your neighborhood, Crepe Myrtle may be number #10 on your list or may not make your top ten list at all.
For the last 60 or so years, the Crepe Myrtle has been the most commonly planted small ornamental tree. The Mountain Laurel and Texas Redbud have also been popular. Other great choices remain underused or unknown, like the Anacacho Orchid, Smoke Tree and Mexican Olive. There is a lot to look forward to if you plant one of these.
All of these trees will flower better in full sun. The Texas Redbud is the most shade tolerant out of the bunch. The Mountain Laurel makes the best evergreen shrub and can grow in sun or part-shade but will bloom better with full sun.
Drought tolerance is another factor that might change your own personal ranking. Though most all of the trees listed here may be considered “drought tolerant”, there is certainly a difference in their degree of "drought attractiveness." For example, a Mountain Laurel will certainly look better than a Crepe Myrtle during a significant drought. Both will survive the drought, but the Mountain Laurel will still look good while the Crepe Myrtles will look wilted and ugly.
If you are looking for large leaves after the flowers fade then a Redbud is a good choice. Because of its awesome pink flowers, when we long for winter to be over, and because of its attractive leaves, toughness and fast growth rate, Texas Redbud tops our list of the "Top Ten Small Ornamental Trees at # 1.
A Blessing For You
We hope that this plant information helps you as you search for that perfect tree. Whichever tree you choose, may it bring you many years of beauty and peace.
May you and your tree be “like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.” (Psalm 1:3)
Wilson Tree and Landscape Nursery serves Helotes, San Antonio, Castroville, Shavano Park, Stone Oak, Austin, Leon Valley, Braun, Camp Bullis, Alamo Ranch, Balcones Heights, Castle Hills, Villages of Westcreek, Hollywood Park, Alamo Heights, Woodlawn Lake, Fair Oak Ranch, Timberwood Park, Boerne, Lytle, Pearson, Lacoste, Macdona, Rio Medina, Natalia, Dunlay, New Braunfels, Mcqueeny, Seguin, San Marcos, Converse, Bulverde, Comfort, Lake hills, Hondo, Kerville and more! We offer beautiful trees and planting services. We make it easy to get a buy a tree and get it installed all at one place. You pick it out, we'll put it in! You can rest assured: In the hill country, in the valley, in full sun or on the moon: Our trees can survive anywhere!
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(Cercis canadensis var. texensis)
Starting off our list with a classic, the Texas Red Bud is true blue South Central Texas. This impressive flowering tree grows just large enough at 20FT to provide shade with its beautiful round leaves. The Red Bud is extremely hardy. It can take heat without breaking a sweat and the Red Bud is practically allergic to water. We can't forget the best part about the Red Bud: the head turning purple flowers. Texas Red Bud blooms earlier than any other tree in the spring and turns heads every time! Unfortunatly, The Red Bud has a one of a kind flower, but its incredibly short lived, usually only lasting a little over a month. Still, if you want to make a statement the Red Bud is right for you!
2.Mountain Laurel
Around here Hill Country and Mountain Laurel go hand and hand. This classy native grows wild west of San Antonio and tree lovers look forward to its unique and dazzling blooms every year. Like the Red Bud, the Mountain Laurel does not need much water when established. The Mountain Laurel has been known to grow upwards for 18FT and naturally grows more like a bush. Take the time to train this marvelous plant into a tree and you will have a gem for decades to come.
3.Anacacho Orchid Tree
The Anacacho Orchid makes a beautiful white Daisy like flower with small circular leaves. When cared for properly, the Anacacho can grow 10 to 20FT tall and produce its white flowers all over. Anacacho Orchids can get so full of flowers they can look like one giant bloom! These are extremely hardy and need very little water. They naturally grow as more of a bush, but can be trained to be more tree shaped.
4.Crepe Myrtle
(Lagerstroemia indica)
Few trees make as big of an impact as the Crepe (Crape) Myrtle. In every neighborhood, in every area of Austin, San Antonio, Helotes, Castroville, Devine and South Central Texas you will find a Crape Myrtle of some variety. Crape Myrtles make an incredibly long lasting and giant flower bloom bunch. From early summer to late fall, Crape Myrtles have one of the longest bloom cycles, sometimes blooming multiple times in one season! Extremely drought resistant and available in dozens of unique and striking colors. You cant go wrong with a Crape Myrtle.
Extremely drought resistant and heat loving, this 10FT tall shrub/tree makes a great addition to a tight spot. With plenty of sun the Vitex creates one of the prettiest blue flower you will ever see! Vitex are lightning fast growers too!
6.Yaupon Holly
(Ilex vomitoria)
The Yaupon Holly is understated, but still worthy of consideration. This tree/shrub can grow 15 to 25FT tall with small, full leaves. Extremely drought and heat resistant, Yaupon Holly can make a good tall screening shrub. Yaupon hollies make a deep red berry all over that can really make their leaves pop!
7.Mexican Olive
(Cordia boissieri)
Another white flower tree, the Mexican Olive is highly sought after. Both Drought and Heat resistant, Mexican Olives can take any heat San Antonio, Austin, Helotes, Castroville, Devine and South Central Texas can throw at it! The Mexican Olive makes a large deep green leaf giving it striking contrast. Unfortunately, Mexican Olives have not been performing as well in our recent freezes putting it further down on our list.
Drought resistant with a dark pink flower they write poems about, the Desert Willow is the perfect flowering tree for South Central Texas. The elongated leaves give this small ornamental a unique and interesting look some absolutely love.
9.Pomegranate
(Punica granatum)
Drought and heat resistant plus the bird love it! Pomegranates can grow quite big for a small ornamental at 20 to 35FT tall. They typically have a stubby, lollypop look.
10.American Smoke Tree
(Cotinus obovatus)
The American Smoke Tree is a rare and sought after gem. This ornamental tree makes a circular leaf and can grow 20 to 30FT tall. The real season of interest for the American Smoke Tree is fall when they make a peach orange fall foliage that rivals any Maple in beauty. Unfortunately, American Smoke Trees are very rare and hard to propagate. Still, if you can find one of these beauties grab it!
Top Ten Texas Small Ornamental Trees For San Antonio And South Texas
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