Sophora secundiflora (Texas Mountain Laurel)

Indigenous to Texas, New Mexico and Mexico, this large shrub or small tree is evergreen, thornless, slow-growing and long-lived. Glossy dark green compound leaves provide a lush look for desert gardens. Showy clusters of purple wisteria-like flowers perfume the air in the spring, and smell like grape soda. The thick seed pods contain poisonous orange-red seeds, but the pods are extremely hard and difficult to break open. Plant in full sun to part shade and in well-drained soils.