Other Names:  Ebony Blackbead, Ebano, Ebenopsis ebano

Description:

This highly decorative tree is remarkably drought tolerant and very slow growing; leaves are arranged along thorny branches; sweetly fragrant flower clusters appear from late spring until fall, followed by large seed pods that persist through winter

Ornamental Features

Texas Ebony features showy spikes of fragrant creamy white flowers with buttery yellow overtones at the ends of the branches from early to mid summer. It has dark green evergreen foliage. The glossy oval compound leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up. The rough black bark and gray branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Texas Ebony is a multi-stemmed evergreen tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Texas Ebony is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Hedges/Screening
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Texas Ebony will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is native to parts of North America.

Texas Ebony is a fine choice for the yard, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.