A friend of mine was wandering around my yard recently, looking at all the shrubs and trees I had planted and asked me -- "Which one is our favorite?"
I pointed to the tree pictured on the right, the one I named "Eve." It's an Eve's Necklace -- a delicate tree native to Central Texas with blooms that look like necklaces that only last a few short days in the spring.
When I planted "her" just a few short years ago, she was tiny. The tree barely reached my stomach. Now it stands much taller than me, but her branches still sway softly in the wind.
Every time I go to my favorite nursery to buy a tree, I consider another Eve's Necklace. (I only don't because I love variety in the garden.)
Eve's Necklaces can be hard to find, but they are recommended for planting in the Austin area. They have very light water requirements once established and are very tough in droughts (just don't expect much growth).
I was worried last summer that all of our rain would hurt her, but the tree took advantage of that rare year by doubling its size in just a few short months.
Wow!
Eve is planted in my backyard, and is shaded part of the day by the giant pecan tree -- and it makes an excellent understory tree.
One day, when the tree grows much larger, we plan on building a bench under Eve, so we can enjoy her shade and her brief blooms.

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