Leucophyllum, Genus, frutescens, Species,
- Genus & species
Texas sage
Southern and western Texas and northeastern Mexico
Overview
Leucophyllum frutescens is an evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub in the family Scrophulariaceae, native to the Chihuahuan Desert and Tamaulipan thornscrub of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Plants reach 4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 m) tall and 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) wide, with a dense, rounded habit and silvery gray stems. Leaves are alternate, ovate to obovate, 0.5–1 inch (1.2–2.5 cm) long, and covered with short white to silver hairs that reflect light and reduce water loss. Flowers are bell-shaped, 0.75 inch (2 cm) long, lavender to pale purple, and borne singly in the leaf axils; blooms appear in flushes from May to October, often after rain or a rise in humidity, which gave rise to the common name barometer bush. Fruit is a small, two-valved capsule. Plants are hardy in USDA zones 8–10 and tolerate drought, heat, and alkaline soil. Roots rot in wet, poorly drained soil, and plants grow leggy and flower sparsely in shade or in humid climates with frequent rain.
Native Range
Native to southern and western Texas and northeastern Mexico, in Chihuahuan Desert and thornscrub habitats on limestone, caliche, and gravelly soils. Grown in arid and semi-arid regions worldwide.Suggested Uses
Used in xeriscapes, informal hedges, and mixed shrub borders in arid regions, spaced 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) apart. Silvery foliage and drought tolerance suit it to hot, dry sites. Susceptibility to root rot limits use in humid climates and in poorly drained soils.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 8'
Width/Spread4' - 6'
Bloom Information
Flowers open in flushes from May to October, often within days after rain or a rise in humidity. Individual flowers last 1–2 days, and a flush lasts about 1–2 weeks. Flowers are visited by bees and butterflies. Flowering is sparse in shade and in prolonged dry periods.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Lavender to pale purpleFoliage Description
Silvery grayGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 8-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Growth and flowering are heaviest in full sun, with 8 or more hours of direct light, in lean, well-drained, alkaline soil of pH 6.5–8.5, including caliche and limestone. Water is applied every 2–3 weeks during the first summer, and established plants survive on rainfall in most of their range. Cold hardiness is USDA zones 8–10, and temperatures below 10°F (−12°C) damage stems. Fertilizer and frequent irrigation produce weak, leggy growth. Roots rot in soils that remain wet for more than a few days.Pruning
Little pruning is required. Light shaping is done in late winter before growth begins, removing up to one-third of the plant. Shearing into formal shapes removes flowering wood and reduces bloom. Plants regrow from old wood after hard pruning to 12–18 inches (30–45 cm), although flowering is lost for one season.Pruning Schedule
Prune: February–March
winterearly spring
Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons
