Typically a 2‘-3‘ tall scrub shrub in the the most arid portions of the lower Rio Grande Valley and adjacent Mexico, but a little TLC makes a rapidly growing handsome small tree (or large shrub) with clusters of 2"-3" long trumpet-shaped flowers that flush repeatedly with adequate moisture and warmth. There‘s no waiting for flowers either -- flowering begins when the plant is only 2‘ tall.

The evergreen leaves are gray-ish green and rough with a lighter underside. Temps around 30° cause partial leaf loss; complete defoliation accurs at about 27° with twig and branch die-back in the mid-20°s. Plants quickly recover from occasional freezes, but this is a plant suited only for warm-winter areas.

Texas Wild Olive really, really wants to be a multi-stemmed shrub. In higher rainfall areas than its native ecosystem extensive pruning is required to keep it to a single trunk with a strong, shapely canopy. However the very lovely shaggy bark is a bonus to pruning up the plant.

Texas Wild Olive requires well-drained soil and neutral to alkaline pH. It is drought-tolerant but only after it's well-established.

In addition to its landscape appeal, the flowers bring bees, butterfies and hummers and the fruit attracts mammals and birds. For gardeners who don't want to devote time to pruning, Anacahuita makes excellent cattle and deer browse.

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