Description of the Texas Sage (Cenizo) Bush

Although not actually a sage, Leucophyllum frutescens is often called Texas sage or purple sage. It is actually a member of the Srophulariaceae, or figwort, family, and goes by several other names, including cenizo bush, Texas barometer bush, Texas ranger and Texas silverleaf. This shrub is native to Texas and Mexico, is heat and drought tolerant, grows well in rocky, well-drained soils and tends to grow best when it is not fertilized.

Foliage

Texas sage foliage is a distinctive silvery-gray color. Its leaves are oval with rounded tips, and are about 1 inch long. Texas sage leaves are wider at the tip and more tapered toward the base. Each leaf is covered in tiny, silvery hairs that give the shrub a soft, fuzzy feel. Texas sage is an evergreen, meaning that it does not lose its leaves in the winter.

Flowers

This shrub blooms throughout the growing season, putting on a spectacular show of fragrant flowers, although the blossoms last only for a few days at a time. Blooms often appear after a rain, which is why the shrub is sometimes called Texas barometer bush. The flowers are often purple but can also be lavender, pink or white. The blooms are somewhat bell shaped and are about 1 inch long and wide.

Size and Growth Habit

Most varieties of Texas sage grow to a mature size of about 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall. However, when planted in full sun and given plenty of room, some have reached 8 feet in height and 4 to 6 feet in width. They grow naturally in a mounded shape and do not need much pruning. If the plant becomes leggy, prune at the tips to encourage branching and bushiness.

Varieties

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed several named varieties of the Texas sage. While all are obviously Texas sage shrubs, each has its own specific characteristics, and they vary in such things as flower color and mature height. Some, such as Silver Cloud, Thunder Cloud and Cimarron have silvery-colored leaves, while others such as Lynn's Legacy, Green Cloud and Rio Bravo have greener leaves. These varieties let you choose the Texas sage that best suits your landscape's size, climate and color scheme.

References

• University of Texas at Austin: Native Plant Database
• Mountain States Wholsale Nursery: Love Those Sages