Texas Ebony

South Texas’s Dark Evergreen Beauty

The Texas Ebony (Ebenopsis ebano) is a stunning evergreen native of the Rio Grande Valley with dark, dense foliage, fragrant cream-colored flowers, and extremely hard wood. Drought-tolerant and slow-growing, it’s a prized specimen tree for xeriscaped and native landscapes. Alfaro Tree Sales grows Texas Ebonys at our 40-acre Atascosa nursery.

1–2 ft/yr
Growth Rate
20–30 ft
Mature Height
Excellent
Drought Tolerance
Since ’76
Growing & Planting
Sun
Full Sun
Water
Very Low
Growth
1–2 ft/yr
Mature Height
20–30 ft
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrant Flowers
Xeriscape Ready

Fragrant Flowers

Texas Ebony produces clusters of fragrant, cream-to-yellow flowers from June through September that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Combined with its dark evergreen foliage, it’s a beautiful multi-season landscape tree.

Evergreen year-round Extremely drought-tolerant Fragrant summer flowers Field-grown at our 40-acre nursery

Texas Ebony vs. Desert Willow

Two beautiful drought-tolerant native trees compared.

Recommended

Texas Ebony

Growth Rate1–2 ft/yr
DroughtExcellent
FoliageEvergreen
Mature Height20–30 ft
FlowersCream, fragrant
ThornsYes (when young)

Desert Willow

Growth Rate2–3 ft/yr
DroughtExcellent
FoliageDeciduous
Mature Height15–25 ft
FlowersPink/purple, showy
ThornsNone

Growth Timeline

Expected height after planting a 2” caliper tree (8–12 ft at install).

10 ft
Planting
16 ft
Year 5
22 ft
Year 10
Full form
28 ft
Year 20+
Mature

Care After Planting

Watering

Minimal watering once established — one deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer is plenty. Overwatering can cause root issues.

Soil & Fertilizer

Excellent in SA’s alkaline soils. Requires well-drained soil. Generally no fertilizer needed.

Pruning

Prune lower thorny branches for clearance as it matures. Light structural pruning in winter. Avoid heavy pruning.

Best Planting Time

March through May when soil is warm. Protect from hard freezes in the first 2–3 winters (below 25°F).

Our Planting Process

1

Select & Deliver

Choose your tree at our nursery or by phone. We deliver it to your property.

2

Plant & Mulch

Machine-dug hole, native soil backfill, deep watering, and mulch ring installed.

3

Follow-Up

Written care instructions plus a 30-day establishment check from our crew.

Sun
Full Sun
Water
Very Low
Growth Rate
1–2 ft/yr
Mature Height
20–30 ft
Canopy Spread
20–30 ft
Foliage
Evergreen
Foliage
Evergreen
Native Range
S. Texas & NE Mexico
Soil
Alkaline / Well-Drained
Best For
Specimen, Xeriscape
Category
Native
Nursery
40 Acres, Atascosa TX

Slowly — about 1–2 feet per year. They’re long-lived specimen trees best appreciated as a beautiful focal point rather than quick shade.

Generally yes, but young trees can be damaged by hard freezes below 25°F. Mature trees handle SA winters well. Protect young trees in the first few winters.

Young trees have paired thorns at the leaf bases, but these become less prominent as the tree matures. Prune lower branches for clearance.

Yes — they retain their dark green, feathery foliage year-round, making them excellent for year-round screening and visual interest.

March through May is ideal for warm-season establishment. Fall planting works too with freeze protection.

We offer Texas Ebonys in various sizes. Field-grown at our nursery in Atascosa. Call (210) 202-4284.

Yes. Professional delivery and planting across the SA metro. Request a free quote.

Extremely — it’s one of the hardest woods in North America, historically used for fence posts and tool handles. The wood is nearly black at the heartwood.