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Texas Gardening

What are those purple leafed trees around Dallas?

14 years ago

I have been seeing purple leafed trees around the DFW area, but I can't identify them. They don't look to be purple leaf plum. The leaf resembles that of a red bud, the color seems to match that of a purple leaf plum. I have seen them in commercial plantings, so they are probably pretty common and hardy. But, after a search, I still can't find them. Any ideas? Thanks

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Comments (10)

jardineratx
14 years ago
Could it be Forest Pansy Redbud?
http://www.shade-trees.org/pages/flowering-trees/forest-pansy-redbud.php?pic358=2
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
14 years ago
There are some pictures of the Forest Pansy Redbud on this post on the Texas Gallery:

Here is a link that might be useful: See 2nd and last photo ...
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I love the picture of the native Wisteria! I really love the invasive Wisteria too, but would never plant it. It's pretty but evil. There is a large wisteria vine on a dogwood across the street from me. When we moved in 8 yrs ago it was beautiful in bloom because they bloomed at the same time and there was all the white and purple from the two flowers. Needless to say there is no longer any white. I am not sure if there is any life to the dogwood now or if it is just a support for the vine. Now the wisteria is climbing to adjacent trees and if it were my property I would be very concerned. It's still beautiful. Looks like a wisteria tree. It also sends little baby wisterias over to my yard which I militantly pull out. -Ais.
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plantmaven
14 years ago
They are redbuds, just another variety. Forest pansy or something like that.
plantmaven
14 years ago
ooops, we cross posted.
magglepuss
Original Author
14 years ago
Wow, you guys are good, and fast. Yes, that is the tree! I have a sunny location in my front yard, and am looking for a tree for that area. Actually, I am wanting to remove an oleander that is too big and now in bad shape, put in a pathway, and add a few plants with one ornamental tree. Hopefully I can find one, that would be perfect.
roselee - is that your garden? It is beautiful. Thanks for sharing your pictures. Thanks all for the input.
beachplant
14 years ago
Have fun trying to get rid of the oleander. Don't try and pull it out with a truck, you'll just pull off the bumper.
Tally HO!
magglepuss
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the tip! Right now the flowers on 2/3 of it are weighing down the branches so they are touching the ground. The back 1/3 has dead branches. I think they were broken from the weight of the snow? For something flowering it sure doesn't look very pretty.

Maybe I could give it a good trim after the flowers die off and leave it in place. How's that for lazy, don't know if I want to work that hard getting rid of it. haha.

Seriously, here's my problem with it. We have trimmed it over the years, I think it is just too big for it's location. Now,the base of the plant looks messy and unkempt. If it weren't kind of a focal point in the front yard, I would leave it alone. Maybe we are trimming it wrong? Any suggestions.
whitecap
14 years ago
The coloration of the Forest Pansy will revert to green once we get into summer. They can look awfully ragged by summer's end.
hitexplanter
14 years ago
As do most big leaved trees after a typical Texas summer. As to the oleander you can cut it all the way to the ground and start fresh. Then every other year or two depending on your growth do it again. It may always be to big for the space I don't know without seeing it in situ but it can be made more tolerant this way. Just a couple thoughts. Happy Growing David
azlcd
14 years ago
If you want to try and keep the oleander, you can cut it all the way to the ground as previously posted. We've also cut it down, and then just let one or two stalks come up, to make a sort of tree. takes constant pruning, though. To kill it, cut it down to the ground. Then dig out around it as much as possible. Then pour Round-Up all over the stump and in the hole. Repeat Round-up once a week, three times. Worked for me.

I was interested in Forest Pansy too, but when I looked it up, it's just now recommended for hot areas like ours. I'm trying a mexican redbud instead. so far, so good.

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