Mountain Laurel is a wonderful tree/shrub, and attracts all sorts of pollinators. When it is in bloom like this, it actually "hums" with bees, and the blooms smell like grape Kool-Aid. It is also attractive to Black Swallowtail butterflies. We started this one from seed about 12 years ago, brought it to the farm in a one gallon pot, and here she is now!
What a real beauty and being attractive to bees and other pollinators makes it an ideal shrub. Our lilacs and buddleia davidii do the same job here. It's just a pity that they don't flower until later on in the year.
Hank, it is technically "Texas Mountain Laurel" but I've never stood on technicalities. When it sets seed, I can send some to you. It is slow to germinate, and slow to grow for the first two years, then it catches its breath and takes off! I think it would do well in Alabama. We can find out!
That is quite an accomplishment, Jane. I have a laurel also, but the cream-coloured blooms are not nearly so lovely. Do you know the Latin (botanical ) name for it?
That is one gorgeous plant! The blooms remind me of the blooms on my Kentucky Wisteria (Wisteria macrostachya 'Aunt Dee') just not quite as long. I just can't wait to start seeing blooms around here!
Sjoerd, the botanical name is Sophora secundiflora. It only blooms in the bluish/purple shade, and is native to the Texas hill country that has gravelly, shallow limestone soil. When it hit our blackland prairie soil, the shrub thought it had gone to heaven!
Thanks Jane, I do not have a great hope of finding it over here, and if I did it may well not be able to survive. I shall look anyway.
