The subtle beauty of Mexican buckeye in flower

March 09, 2018


One of the few things I didn’t plant in my garden, the Mexican buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa) came with the house. When I first saw the buckeye-shaped seedpods dangling from its branches, I was excited to realize I’d inherited this small native tree. That first fall, its yellowing foliage lit up the lower garden near the back fence.


Its spring beauty is more ephemeral and dainty but welcome all the same. Petal-pink flowers dangle from raspberry stems arrayed along the branches, competing with unfurling bronze-green leaves that refuse to wait for the blooms to finish first.


Beyond, a ‘Sizzling Pink’ loropetalum makes an excellent color companion.


Unlike the showy loropetalum, Mexican buckeye demands you get up close to really appreciate its delicate spring beauty.


Honeybees have been doing just that…


…buzzing in and out of the flowers to collect pollen.


Here you can see one of last season’s “buckeye” seedpods.


Blue-green Yucca rostrata makes a complementary backdrop too.


One more — the flowers are just so pretty this year! And I like knowing they’re feeding the bees.


And because we’re here, let’s take a moment to admire the decidedly less dainty — in fact, screaming pink — loropetalum again. It’s certainly been a great spring for these nonnative but well adapted shrubs.


Delicate or as loud as a banshee, I’m happy to have these spring flowers in my largely shady garden.

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8 responses to “The subtle beauty of Mexican buckeye in flower”

  1. Ashley Moore says:

    What a beautiful native tree; thanks for sharing. I love the contrast of chartreuse new growth and pink blossoms. I’m heading to Texas this weekend for the first time! I’m excited to see new plants.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Thanks for visiting, Ashley. I just fell into the wormhole of your website and will be following your IG too — such beautiful photos, and you get to see so many amazing places! Since you’re a blogger and like to travel, I invite you to consider signing up for the Austin Garden Bloggers Fling tour this May 3-6. It’s really fun, you see amazing gardens, meet wonderful bloggers of all stripes, and get to explore the city. The itinerary is here, and let me know if you’d like more info. We’d love to meet you! https://gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com/2017/08/austin-fling-2018-itinerary-preview.html —Pam

  2. Kris P says:

    It’s lovely and I was surprised that I’d never seen it here. My Sunset guide informed me that we’re well outside its range despite its low water appetite. I’m guessing it needs winter cold.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      It may just be little known outside of its native range, which is Texas and New Mexico. I just checked Dave’s Garden, which reports that it can be grown in Napa, CA. Shall I save you some seeds, Kris? —Pam

  3. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    What beautiful blooms in your garden. I can hardly wait to see some buckeye blooms here. You are lucky not to have squirrels in your garden. They would eat all the buckeyes. At least they do here.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Oh, I have plenty of squirrels. And I get plenty of Mexican buckeye seedlings every year. Maybe squirrels don’t find our native buckeye (not related to your Ohio buckeye) very tasty? —Pam

  4. Gail says:

    Lovely blooms and a new to me tree…So extra cool!