Andie Rathbone

A few weeks ago I got a message via the Smith County Master Gardener Facebook page asking me to identify a plant. Usually I cringe at these requests because there are way too many plants out there for anyone to know each and every one. However, I knew this one right away because it is one of my favorite Texas natives — Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens).

Texas sage — also known as Texas ranger, Texas rain sage, Cenizo, Texas silverleaf, ash-bush, wild lilac, purple sage, Senisa, Cenicilla, Palo Cenizo and Hierba del Cenizo — is native to the Chihuahuan desert, Rio Grande, Trans-Pecos and somewhat into the Edwards plateau. You wouldn’t think that a plant that is native to arid regions with highly alkaline soil like the caliche around Austin would survive in East Texas, but in well-drained soil that’s been amended to a neutral pH, it does quite well and grows into a beautiful specimen plant.

Although it is commonly called Texas sage, it is not related to any of our garden variety salvias and is really more a wood shrub than a perennial. It is sometimes called “barometer bush” because flowering is triggered by humidity or high soil moisture after rains.

Because of its drought tolerance, this is a great plant for an area in your garden that doesn’t get much irrigation, or a “hell strip” like a bed by a concrete driveway that gets really hot. Just make sure to give it a lot of room. At maturity Texas sage can reach 6 feet in height and width. Texas sage’s grayish-green, woolly leaves are not terribly spectacular, but after a good rain the plant produces copious lavender purple, magenta or white flowers that can stop traffic. In most regions of Texas, the leaves are evergreen, but occasionally, in a very cold winter, the plant may be deciduous. They can survive temperatures to 5 degrees.

Plant Texas sage in a dry, sunny location that has well-drained soil. If you have a pH lower than 7, add amendments to your soil to raise it. Although it should be watered every five to seven days for a few weeks until it’s well established, overwatering will quickly kill it and shade will promote leggy growth and less flowering.

Texas sage is not susceptible to pests or diseases. Around Austin, you will often see the plant sheared as a hedge, but they are much more attractive when maintained in the plant’s natural shape. Light pruning in late winter or early spring before buds form produces a healthy, aesthetically pleasing shape.