Rewilding My Lot

An adage often heard about native perennial plants is that in their first three years they will “sleep, creep, and leap.” In other words, the first year is spent building a strong root system without much happening visibly above ground. The second year sees more foliage growth, and in year three the plant is finally strong enough to bloom and thrive.

There are exceptions, of course. I have certainly seen several of my plants become established more quickly or slowly. However, a fine example of the sleep-creep-leap principle is the Texas Mountain Laurel (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum) tree.

This was the first tree I planted here, in March 2023.

By January 2024 it was still just 2 ft tall. That was its “sleep” year.

A year later it was 5 ft tall, with one side apparently more vigorous than the other. That was its “creep” year, with a lot more growth but still no blooms.

By January 2026, this tree was over 7 ft tall and got its first “grown up” pruning to start the process of raising its canopy.

And to complete its “leap” status, in February 2026 there were blooms and more new leaves. This photograph was taken on the morning of February 25, before the blooms had fully opened and before the distinctive scent was apparent (to my human nose, anyway).

Just a few hours later some of the blooms had opened more fully and the strong scent was released. The fragrance has been said to resemble grape bubble gum.