trip to Port Aransas/Corpus Christi/Rockport

[necturus]

Hi all,

Took a trip down to Port Aransas over the weekend. Outside of about two hours on the beach, we spent most of our time looking at tropicals in the area. Found some impressive stuff from a Texas perspective that I thought I'd share (ignore the goofy looking guy with no fashion sense): http://imgur.com/a/P0p0q

Our first stop was South Texas Botanical Gardens. They have an impressive collection of in-ground plumeria, many of which were in bloom. Other notable in-ground plants included a large Pseudobombax ellipticum, ponytail palm, Ceiba speciosa, and a number of small tree sized Ficus spp (F. elastica, benghalensis, altissima, and benjamina). I was surprised to find a small geiger tree in the hummingbird garden. Didn't think there was any chance of that making it outside in Corpus. Their arid garden was sparsely populated but has potential. I've been spoiled by other botanical gardens, so this one left a little to be desired. Lots of open space that begs for more trees! Eucalyptus and other arid trees would be a great addition here, in addition to Euphorbia sp. in the arid garden. If anyone recognizes the Senna sp. I uploaded, please let me know. Didn't look like the typical Senna alata around here.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi is located on an island on the edge of town. It has a spectacular, albeit small, collection in the courtyards surrounding the library. It includes the largest banyans I have seen in the state (caveat: haven't been to the RGV) in addition to large plumeria, royal palms, Ficus religiosa, tree sized Caesalpinia mexicana, and Schefflera actinophylla. Any insights into how they are able to grow these monsters so close to buildings?

We also had the pleasure of seeing a flowering royal poinciana. I think the tree in question has been shown on here before. It's located in front of a dentist's office. Seeing it left me inspired to find a way to grow one to flowering size here in Houston.

Port Aransas had a lot of the aforementioned figs, Norfolk Island pines, and one nice Eucalyptus tree. Having seen the aforementioned poinciana, I was surprised by their absence as well as the lack of any Jacaranda, Cassia or Handroanthus spp. 

Finally, we stopped in Rockport to see the Big Tree, a 1000+ year old live oak. It is a gnarly old beauty.

Hope you enjoy the pics,

Daniel

[Austinpalm]

Great pix Daniel.  I was not aware there were ficus of that size north of the RGV in Texas. I need to take a little time to look around next time I am down there. Thanks for posting.

 

Clay

[Silas_Sancona]

Thanks for sharing Daniel.

Wasn't aware Plumeria could get to such size there along the S.W. TX Coast. Ficus specimens are Spectacular. The Cassia Sp. in your Album is Cassia didymobotrya Aka: Popcorn Cassia. Very easy, sometimes a little aggressive, woody Perennial/sub-shrub ( if it doesn't freeze back regularly) from seed. Considering the "look" of the plants there, id take a gamble on trialing some of the tree-type Cassias, Bulnesia arborea, and some other Tropical-esque -type trees if i lived in the area.  Btw, how is your Guaicum coulteri doing?.

[Xenon]

20 hours ago, necturus said:

 

We also had the pleasure of seeing a flowering royal poinciana. I think the tree in question has been shown on here before. It's located in front of a dentist's office. Seeing it left me inspired to find a way to grow one to flowering size here in Houston.

 

The Houston Zoo has one but it froze back during one of the freezes a few years ago. It's near the tiger or lion exhibit. I wonder if there are any in the Galveston area...

Thanks for the pics! :)