Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - November 04, 2013

From: Corpus Christi, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Trees
Title: Evergreen plant to grow to 6 feet tall with flowers and non-toxic
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live in South Texas, and in town. I am looking for plant that grows taller than 6 feet and is non toxic to people and pets. Would also like for it to be pest and disease free or minimal. Need it to stay green year around, and would like for it to flower and/or produce fruit. Any suggestions?

ANSWER:

Here are some native trees of varying  heights (6 feet or more in height) that grow in South Texas and meet most of your criteria.

Cordia boissieri (Mexican olive) is evergreen, grows to 30 feet and has very showy flowers.  Here is more information from University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension.

Ebenopsis ebano (Texas ebony) grows to 25-30 feet and is evergreen.   Here is more information from Arizona State University.

Persea borbonia (Redbay) can reach 65 feet, is evergreen and very aromatic.  Here is more information from Floridata.

Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel) usually grows 10 to 15 feet and has fragrant purple flowers in the Spring.  Here is more information from University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension.  Unfortunately, the seeds are toxic.  Here is information from Poisonous Plants of North Carolina.

Guaiacum angustifolium (Texas lignum-vitae) is evergreen with beautiful purple flowers and is a good honeybee tree.   It grows 8 to 10 feet. Here is more information from Aggie Horticulture.

Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon) usually grows no more than 25 feet high, is evergreen and the female trees are filled with red berries that birds like to eat.  Here is more information from Aggie Horticulture.

Condalia hookeri (Bluewood condalia) is evergreen or semi-evergreen and grows to 30 feet.  Here's more information from Aggie Horticulture.

Leucophyllum frutescens (Cenizo) is evergreen and is covered with beautiful pink flowers several times a year after rains.  It can grow to 8 feet but usually stays around 5 feet or so.  Here is more information from Aggie Horitculture.

 

From the Image Gallery


Mexican olive
Cordia boissieri

Texas ebony
Ebenopsis ebano

Redbay
Persea borbonia

Texas mountain laurel
Sophora secundiflora

Texas lignum-vitae
Guaiacum angustifolium

Yaupon
Ilex vomitoria

Bluewood condalia
Condalia hookeri

Cenizo
Leucophyllum frutescens

More Trees Questions

Pin Oak Dropping Leaves Early
December 17, 2015 - I have a large pin oak that's losing it's leaves at this time. Is this too early? I have been watering the tree during the hot, dry weather and overall the tree looks healthy and has a good crop of ...
view the full question and answer

Will Prunus caroliniana (Carolina laurelcherry) be toxic to chickens?
July 25, 2010 - We are considering planting Carolina Cherry Laurels around our yard for dense hedging purposes. We are concerned because we have a small flock of free-ranging chickens who eat every seed and leaf in ...
view the full question and answer

How to tell the girls from the boys in wax myrtles (Morella cerifera)
May 14, 2010 - How would I be able to identify whether my wax myrtles are male or female plants? I was given two plants last fall (that came from a family members back yard) and the person who gave them to me didn'...
view the full question and answer

How do you determine male persimmon seedlings from the females?
May 11, 2013 - I have got new persimmon seedlings about 3 inches tall this spring, and am wondering if there is any way to tell male from female at this young stage? I just don't want to plant 20 or 40 seedlings an...
view the full question and answer

Shade Trees for Bullhead City, AZ
August 12, 2014 - We have a patio with 2 old (unused) fire pit cut-outs; about 4 ft wide each. The cut out is not lined with concrete or brick: just rimmed with the concrete on all sides. The center of the cut-outs i...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.