Texas Sage

Texas Sage, Leucophyllum frutescens

Also known as cenizo, Texas ranger, barometer bush, and silverleaf, Texas sage is an evergreen shrub with gray leaves covered in silver hairs creating an ashy appearance. It is compact, averaging around 1 m (3 ft), but can reach heights up to 2.5 m (8 ft). It can tolerate sun and part shade in soil with good drainage. As a native, it is also extremely tolerant of heat and drought. Texas sage blooms intermittently over several months. Often the mass of blooms occur after a few summer showers or during significant soil moisture which is the reasoning behind the common name barometer bush. It serves as cover and nesting sites for many animals, and it is host to the caterpillars of the Calleta silkmoth and Theona Checkerspot.