Because it requires very little water once established, it is a good choice for xeriscapes, wildscapes and as a backdrop in rock gardens. If you want to grow kidneywood as a tree rather than a shrub, select a tree-form at the nursery. 8 members have or want this plant for trade. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping, This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds, Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds. They're all rangy, tough shrubs with sweet-smelling white flowers after summer rain. It was around 15 feet high; bought another in 1gal pot at Buchanon's to plant in the same spot, beside the new phone pole. It is usually found on slopes and in canyons and is hardy to about 15°F (-9°C). Another common name for this plant is Vara Dulce. It will grow faster with more moisture, but still must be planted in well-drained soil. Texas kidneywood is a host plant for the Arizona Skipper butterfly (Codatractus arizonensis). It was around 15 feet high; bought another in 1gal pot at Buchanon's to plant in the same spot, beside the new phone pole. I'm in Houston, about 100 miles East of its native range (Hill country south to the Valley) but it has thrived in full sun, in a completely neglected area by the street. All we see are empty ... read more, Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Davesgarden.com. Needs very little fertilizer. I love the smell. There was a little die back from our record cold this winter (55 freezes), but they trimmed up nicely and are doing fine. E. texana can be kept pruned into a small, rugged tree... very attractive. On Apr 5, 2015, bigthicket from Houston, TX (Zone 9b) wrote: Texas Kidneywood is the NorthEastern version of this shrub, with E. polystachya & E. orthocarpa to the South & West in Mexico. Sign up to receive special offers, expert advice and tips to transform your yard into a landscape showplace! Texas kidneywood is irregularly shaped and attains a height of between 3 and 10 feet and a width of between 3 and 10 feet. It requires full sun, is drought tolerant and needs soil that has good drainage. Protect the bark of newly-planted trees from hungry rabbits with a circle of chicken wire. It is evergreen and thornless. We Think You'll Really Dig It. From April to November, the small white vanilla-scente... read mored flowers appear on 3 to 4 inches long, dense, terminal spikes. Am very happy with this nice easy care native tree and plan to add more next year. The fruit is small but this plant has been known to reseed. It The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. (Hard to describe, but citrus-spicy with a meatiness to it; don't eat it though!) A deciduous thornless shrub or small tree in the citrus family with very fragrant leaves and white flowers. Garden Jokes and Humor: Sunday Funnies 11-29-2020. A great xeriscaping shrub/small tree. d flowers appear on 3 to 4 inches long, dense, terminal spikes. The Texas kidneywood is a legume so the seeds are produced inside seed pods which are somewhat persistent. don’t create much litter. The leaves have a tangerine scent when crushed. The Texas kidneywood is a legume so the seeds are produced inside seed pods which are somewhat persistent. Tree: Life cycle: Perennial: Sun Requirements: Full Sun: Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 8a -12.2 °C (10 °F) to -9.4 °C (15 °F) Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11: Plant Height: 2-10 feet: Plant Spread: 3-6 feet: Leaves: Deciduous Other: Host plant for Southern Dogface butterfly: Flowers: Showy Fragrant: Flower Color: White: Bloom Size: 3"-4" Flower Time: Late summer or early fall Kidneywood is a native of southern Arizona and is the host for at least one butterfly species. Drought and heat tolerant. Although Texas kidneywood is in the same family as acacias and mimosas, it does not have their characteristic thorns. Also known as Rock Brush. Update January 2016: The po... read morewer company replaced a phone pole & demolished the Kidneywood tree! It is usually found on slopes and in canyons and is hardy to about 15°F (-9°C). Usually freezes to … As an added bonus, when pruning it, the foliage smells delicious. On Aug 12, 2005, htop from San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: I have not grown this plant, but have observed it in its natural habitat.