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Texas Wild Olive

This ornamental member of the Borage family has highly attractive dark, soft oval leaves about 7" long by 3" wide. The tree can reach 15-30' tall with a 10-16' spread. Although highly drought tolerant, it is very sensitive to cold weather north of the Austin area, but thrives in Zones 9-11. Clusters of pretty white, funnel-shaped flowers with yellow throats grow 2-3" across, and resemble delicate white crepe paper. The fruit may be sweet, but eaten raw they are slightly toxic and may cause dizziness. Early Texas settlers used the fruit to make a perfectly safe and delicious jelly, the syrup derived from the fruit as a cough medicine, a dye for cloth and a folk remedy for rheumatism. The wood is even highly prized in carpentry. Currently available here at the nursery in 15 gallon pots.

Pride of Houston Yaupon Holly

This native Texas holly is most prized for the abundant red berries in fall through winter. The dark green foliage starts off a bright lighter green and darkens into glossy dark green. It attracts birds for the beautiful berries and bees for the small blooms. Thrives best in Zones 7-10 and can take full sun. Can grow to a height of 15-20’ and up to 15’ wide, but it responds well to heavy shearing and pruning so it’s a great candidate for topiary artists. Plant this Pride of Houston yaupon as a single specimen tree or as a beautiful and beneficial clump or hedge.

Purple Leaf Loropetalum

Sometimes called Chinese or Red Fringe Flower because of their frilly pinkish red flowers that bloom along the branches, the Purple Leaf Loropetalum is a beautiful shrub whose rich burgundy red foliage makes it an excellent focal plant or impressive hedge. The flowers are attractive to bees and the foliage is deer resistant. Recommended for Zones 7-10 and loves full sun but can also handle partial shade. They are easy to grow and tolerate a wide range of soils and landscape conditions. Loropetalums can grow 6-8' tall with a width of up to 6-8’, but can be pruned to maintain a smaller size and shape. Loropetalums here at Creekside Nursery are sold in a 3 gallon size.

Bird of Paradise

The sight of this plant in bloom can transport you instantly to a tropical setting. The large flowers with their brilliant top plumage and blue tongues remind you of an exotic bird in a rainforest. Dense, evergreen bluish leaves form an upright habit that grows well outside in Zones 9-11 and in moveable containers or protected areas in Zones 5-8. Bird of Paradise plants are very deep-rooted and are tolerant of drought, heat and sun, but they do not tolerate freezing temperatures. Plant them in clusters for a dramatic statement or in decorative pots that can be moved around pathways and seating areas. Here at Creekside Nursery we offer both the most commonly seen orange Bird of Paradise and the brilliant yellow Mandela’s Gold varieties in 5 gallon pots. The standard orange variety can achieve a height of 6-7’ and 4-5’ wide while the Mandela’s Gold variety tends to be slightly shorter. In both varieties, the bloom stalk rises above the foliage.

MAGNOLIAS

Magnolias are a southern landscape staple and here at Creekside Nursery, we currently have several different varieties and sizes on hand. Magnolia trees are diverse in leaf shape and plant form, and they come in both evergreen and deciduous varieties. Pick your planting site carefully. Almost all types are hard to move once established, and many grow quite large. Dense shade, shallow roots and year-round dropping of leaves make it virtually impossible to grow grass beneath the leaf spread, but they make a perfect backdrop for shrubs and hedges. Magnolias seldom have serious pest or disease problems and they are not a favorite of deer. The highly fragrant blooms are attractive to bees and the beautiful red to orange waxy seeds are a favorite staple to birds, squirrels and other wildlife.