Mexican Buckeye Texas Native

Description: The Mexican Buckeye is a deciduous tree known for its attractive spring foliage and showy pink flowers. It typically grows as a multi-trunked tree with a spreading canopy. The leaves are compound, consisting of five to seven leaflets, which turn yellow in fall before dropping. In early spring, clusters of pink, fragrant flowers appear before the leaves emerge, creating a striking display. These flowers are followed by seed pods containing shiny, dark brown seeds. The tree's bark is gray and smooth, becoming slightly furrowed with age.

Size: Mexican Buckeyes vary in size depending on growing conditions and age. Generally, they grow to be about 15 to 30 feet (4.5 to 9 meters) tall and equally wide. However, in optimal conditions, they may reach up to 35 feet (10.5 meters) in height. They have a relatively slow to moderate growth rate.

Best Growing Zones: Mexican Buckeyes are native to the southern United States, including Texas, and are well-suited to USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9. They thrive in warm, sunny climates and are tolerant of drought once established. They prefer well-drained soils but can adapt to a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, or rocky soil.

Soil Requirements: Mexican Buckeyes are adaptable to various soil types, but they prefer well-drained soils. They can tolerate periods of drought once established but benefit from regular watering, especially during periods of prolonged dryness. Adding organic matter to the soil can help improve its fertility and drainage.

Maintenance: Mexican Buckeyes are relatively low-maintenance trees once established. They require minimal pruning, mainly to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Pruning is best done during the dormant season in late winter or early spring. Regular watering is beneficial, particularly during the tree's establishment period, but they are generally tolerant of drought once mature.