Leucophyllum Species, Barometer Bush, Silverleaf, Purple Sage, Texas Sage
Leucophyllum frutescens
| Family: | Scrophulariaceae (skrof-yoo-larr-ee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Leucophyllum (loo-koh-FIL-um) (Info) |
| Species: | frutescens (froo-TESS-enz) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Leucophyllum texanum |
View this plant in a gardenCategory:
Shrubs
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Succulent
This plant is resistant to deer
Foliage Color:
Silver/Gray
Light Green
Height:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Magenta (pink-purple)
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are showy
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From softwood cuttings
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Wetumpka, Alabama
Chandler, Arizona
Glendale, Arizona
Maricopa, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Queen Creek, Arizona
Surprise, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
Bigelow, Arkansas
Canoga Park, California
Highgrove, California
Long Beach, California
Menifee, California
Palm Springs, California
Deltona, Florida
Green Cove Springs, Florida
Hampton, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida(2 reports)
Keystone Heights, Florida
Lecanto, Florida
Longwood, Florida
Mascotte, Florida
O Brien, Florida
Oldsmar, Florida(2 reports)
Palm Coast, Florida(2 reports)
Pompano Beach, Florida
Sanford, Florida
Umatilla, Florida
Las Vegas, Nevada
Albuquerque, New Mexico
La Luz, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Alice, Texas
Arlington, Texas
Austin, Texas(2 reports)
Brazoria, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Bulverde, Texas
Cleveland, Texas
Copperas Cove, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Del Rio, Texas
Denton, Texas
El Paso, Texas(2 reports)
Flower Mound, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Georgetown, Texas
Harker Heights, Texas
Houston, Texas
Joshua, Texas
Kerrville, Texas(2 reports)
Mullin, Texas
New Braunfels, Texas
New Caney, Texas
New London, Texas
San Antonio, Texas(3 reports)
San Benito, Texas
Tyler, Texas
Vidor, Texas
Weslaco, Texas
Wichita Falls, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Nov 29, 2013, MurrayTX from El Paso, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: This sage thrives on neglect. The unusual harsh freeze of 2011 froze my well established, part sun plant to the ground. But it has since produced 3 feet of growth and does not seem to mind that I occasionally overwater it due to the hose spigot being nearby. I also have had 2 volunteers breaking through cracks in a concrete walkway and seemingly living on mere drops of water until I decided to remove the concrete. This sage can be seen in full sun with no wind protection throughout El Paso. I think it would take effort to kill it, making this a very beginner-friendly plant. |
| Positive | On Nov 3, 2013, shopshops from Joshua, TX wrote: The Silverado variety remains bushy and full and blooms frequently here in North Texas. I love this plant. I planted in the Fall and stopped watering it after it over wintered. It gets sprinkler water once a week and seems to lovetge mminimal effort. |
| Positive | On Jun 16, 2012, ckalakay from Howell, MI wrote: So far, so good. I like it. I live in Michigan and hope to bring the tree in the house for the winter. Has anyone had luck doing this? |
| Positive | On Jul 4, 2011, Ian01 from Rio de Janeiro, Is very strange that no one has mentioned that the flowers have a very peculiar scent. An alternative name for the plant could be "Stinky Socks"... Fortunately it doesn't spread through the air. Apart this little curiosity, the plant is very ornamental and very sturdy. |
| Positive | On Feb 1, 2010, JoyfulSeason from Kerrville, TX wrote: To the reader in Florida.... I am guessing that you are not getting good results with Texas Sage (Cenizo) because you are trying to grow it in a humid setting in soil that is too rich. This plant enjoys poor, alkaline soil, relatively dry climate, and very good drainage. It is highly deer resistant, and can withstand the necessary heavy pruning to keep it from getting leggy. Fast grower. Mine, here in south central Texas, get late afternoon shade and almost double their size each year. They bloom after a rain and the bees go crazy for them! The Florida reader might want to replace half the rich soil with sand and try again. Very little water is required, once established. One of those plants that you can kill if given too much kindness! |
| Neutral | On Jul 30, 2007, hugsandsmoochies from Lakeland, FL wrote: I moved to Florida in February of this year and in March I planted eight of the Texas Sage Trees. For the next three months the trees grew and looked great, but once the rains started a couple of the trees started losing their leaves. One to the point that it was bear. I took it to the Nursery where I bought it but he didn't know much about them. Then three more started going down hill, their leaves became really silvery (almost whitish) and then the leaves started to crumble. The other four that are in the same bed are thriving. They are tall and green, just like the other ones were. The soil conditions are extremely good. We used top soil, Miracle Grow Planting Soil and rototilled it into the ground before planting. They are up in a dirt bed, so they have adequate drainage. Whe... read more |
| Positive | On Nov 8, 2006, nelliebelle12 from Lockhart, TX wrote: Can anyone tell me if I can move this plant? I have around 25 of them in front of my screened porch. Thanks. |
| Positive | On Oct 9, 2006, nanabell from Conway, AR wrote: We planted two in the back yard a year ago and they are so pretty, they stayed green and bloomed since we planted them. Blooms seems more profuse in fall. With very little care and in our terrible soil. We are so very pleased with them and are gladly going to plant more. |
| Positive | On Aug 23, 2005, Munchie011 from Maricopa, AZ (Zone 9b) wrote: I love our Green Cloud Sage. We have several plants growing in our back and front yards. They are so hearty and they are just beautiful. We see a lot of them planted on the side of the freeway's in Arizona, but they trim them so you don't get to see the beautiful purple flowers. |
| Positive | On Jul 5, 2005, fireant13 from (Zone 9a) wrote: I picked up three of these shrubs at the Cabbage Patch in Clermont about five years ago. I put them in the ground (a little too close to the house and probably too close together--I am not an experienced gardener), and they have survived with no care. They bloom frequently and always look pretty. I want to move them, but I am afraid I will kill them. They look as if they will do well in open places, too. I have no shade, but these have survived extreme sun, drought, and hurricanes while other shrubs have failed. I think I will try moving one to another spot. |
| Positive | On May 12, 2005, Judy81350 from Queen Creek, AZ (Zone 9a) wrote: These plants grow very well here. I haven't planted any so far, but I plan on getting me a few of these bushes to plant along my fence. We have two varieties, one is the silvery grey and the other one is the green leafed varity. I like the silvery grey the best. |
| Neutral | On Feb 14, 2005, luedd from Lago Vista, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: I transplanted about 20 of these plants last fall. All the leaves have fallen off and I'm wondering when these plants will show growth? They are planted in the native Texas soil for this area and the limbs show color. |
| Positive | On Jun 1, 2004, frostweed from Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: I think Texas Sage is a wonderful plant. I have visited the Rio Grande valley in a small airplane and the view from the air is amazing, there are areas where whole fields are covered with this plant giving them a soft gray and lavender look that is just lovely. |
| Positive | On May 31, 2004, WillowWasp from Jones Creek, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: This is a great plant to add color and intrest to a place that does not have easy access to water. It is very drought tolerant and can really take alot of heat. An a+ addition to any garden. |
| Positive | On Aug 28, 2003, TyKelly from Mullin, TX wrote: I have found that it will bloom when watered and after every rain. We have about 50 of these plants in our landscape. Those that are watered and fertilized bloom often and those that are not bloom only after a rain. I have been able to keep this plant blooming for all of the warm months. It generally blooms on new growth. |
| Positive | On Jul 14, 2003, Aimee from Georgetown, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: Also known by locals as cenizo, from the dense layer of fine hairs on the leaves and young stems resulting in a silvery gray appearance. Cenizo means ashy. This plant is sensitive to moisture and will bloom shortly after a rain, which gave rise to the name "barometer bush". Some also call it "purple sage". |
| Positive | On Mar 20, 2003, Lavanda from Mcallen, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: This plant grows wild in Texas and Northern Mexico. It has been introduced as an ornamental. It is a bee magnet and has trumpet-shaped blooms, causing it to be a hummingbird favorite. |
| Positive | On Mar 7, 2003, Kelli from L.A. (Canoga Park), CA (Zone 10a) wrote: Also known as Texas ranger. |
