RADIANT SPRING SHALL COME

 

 

Cordia boissieri a Treasured Tree of Memories

 

 

Texas Wild Olive - A evergreen large shrub or trained up as a small tree with attractive bark and a rounded shape to 15 to 25 feet tall by as wide. It has thick 5 inch long ovate leaves that are at first a soft lightly fuzzy texture but harden with age and are gray-green above and paler below. The flowers, in peak bloom spring into summer but with often present nearly year-round are in clusters of 2 inch wide funnel-shaped white flowers with yellow throats and petals that have a crepe paper texture. These are followed by yellow-green olive-like fruit that slightly resemble an olive. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil with occasional to very little water. Evergreen in mild years with and tip damage in frosts down to the mid 20's°F and wood hardy to around 18°F and root hardy a bit lower - it is said that it can be treated more as a perennial in USDA zone 8b. This is an attractive small tree with very attractive flowers, foliage and bark that is drought tolerant and handles windy and coastal conditions. It is a bit too messy for a patio or near the pool but sensational elsewhere in the garden. Birds and animals eat the fruit and the flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Though the fruit are sweet, they are considered slightly toxic to humans when fresh. Indigenous people make jellies and dyes from the fruit and use the wood for firewood and light carpentry. This plant has a native range that extends from Rio Grande valley of southern Texas south to San Luis Potosi in Mexico. The name for the genus honors the 16th century German botanists Euricius Cordus and his son Valerius Cordus and the specific epithet is named for the 19th century Swiss botanist Pierre-Edmond Boissier. Other common names include Anacahuita, Mexican Olive, White Geiger and White Cordia. It is the official flower of the state of Nuevo León in Mexico. This plant is commonly seen in Arizona and Texas but older plants grace gardens in Santa Barbara and there is a beautiful specimen on the Pitzer College campus in Claremont as well. We were particularly attracted to this plant after seeing it in the garden of local Santa Barbara stone mason Ozzie DaRoss.  This description is based on our research and on the observations we have made of this plant as it grows in containers at our nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We also will incorporate comments we receive from others and appreciate receiving feedback of any kind from those who have additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Cordia boissieri 

 

Habit and Cultural Information

Category: Shrub

Family: Boraginaceae (Borages)

Origin: Mexico (North America)

Evergreen: Yes

Flower Color: White

Bloomtime: Spring/Summer

Height: 15-25 feet

Width: 15-25 feet

Exposure: Full Sun

Summer Dry: Yes

Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs

Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F

May be Poisonous  (More Info): Yes