Texas Mountain Laurel
Dermatophyllum secundiflora
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
A jewel of the limestone hills, evergreen, intoxicatingly fragrant, and deeply rooted in the spirit of the Southwest.
Dermatophyllum secundiflora (formerly Sophora secundiflora), known as Texas Mountain Laurel, is a small evergreen tree or large shrub, one of the most elegant and enduring natives of the American Southwest. Though the common name may call to mind the eastern Kalmia latifolia, Texas Mountain Laurel shares no kinship with that mountain plant. This member of the legume family (Fabaceae) is instead a creature of sun-scorched slopes, alkaline soils, and long endurance.
In early spring, Texas Mountain Laurel unfurls pendant clusters of rich purple blossoms, each flower shaped like a sweet pea and intensely fragrant, often likened to grape soda or candy-sweet perfume. The blooms hang in dense, showy racemes against glossy, dark green leaflets, catching both the light and the imagination. That scent, drifting on warm breezes, is unmistakable and unforgettable, a hallmark of Texas springtime.
By summer, leathery seed pods develop, each holding brilliant scarlet-red seeds, hard and highly ornamental, but also toxic if eaten, a fact well known to anyone who grew up roaming the Hill Country. The pods rattle like beads in the wind, adding a subtle rhythm to the season.
Slow-growing but long-lived, Texas Mountain Laurel thrives in full sun and well-drained, alkaline to neutral soils, which makes the tree ideal for rock gardens, dry borders, xeric landscapes, and courtyard specimen plantings. Though best known in Texas and the Southwest, Texas Mountain Laurel can also succeed in the warmer parts of the Southeast, given a sunny, sheltered site with excellent drainage.
Native range: Texas, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. Foliage: evergreen, glossy, leathery, pinnate. Bloom time: early to mid spring. Flower color: deep purple-violet with a strong, sweet fragrance. Fruit: woody pods with bright red seeds, poisonous if eaten. Notable traits: drought-tolerant, fragrant, ornamental seeds, rarely available outside the native range. Garden uses: specimen tree, xeriscape, Mediterranean-style garden, dry-garden accent.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–10
- Sun
- Full Sun
- Soil
- Well-drained, High pH Soils
- Mature size
- Height 10–15 Feet · Spread 6–8 Feet
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
Purple-violet, grape-scented, early spring
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.