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Texas Sage
Leucophyllum frutescens
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| Considered to be one of the strongest shrubs
around, Texas sage (sometimes called "Purple sage") can face droughts, freezes,
high winds, salt spray, hungry deer, and full Florida summer sunlight and will still
remain beautiful. |
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Leaves
Leaves have a silver pubescence and an
attractive felty touch. The leaves are wavy, oval, and 1/2-1 inch alternating
leaves.
Flowers
Five-lobed tubular 1/2-1" flowers have spotted throats and resemble that of a
foxglove. The flowers appear after summer rains, sometimes covering the plants with
white, pink, lavender, purple, or blue blossoms for a spectacular display that lasts a
week.
Fruit
Two-valved capsules are filled with
small wrinkled seeds.
Propagation
If propagating by seed, press the
seeds into moist soil, but do not cover them. Germination by this method will take
about a month. A faster method, however, is to propagate vegetatively.
To do this, take 4" cuttings of new growth in the summer after the plant has
flowered and insert them in a rooting medium composed of half perlite and half sphagnum
moss. Keep them moist (NOT wet) and they will root in a few weeks.
Landscape usage
Purple Sage is a good choice for a container pot, foundation plantings, hedges, barriers,
windbreaks, or screens. The velvety feeling leaves seem to amaze children.
Interesting Facts
The dried leaves and flowers can be
brewed into a good bedtime herbal tea that is said to be useful for treating colds and
flu’s. |
Texas sage
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Summary
Type: Shrub
Salt Tolerant: High
Height: 8-10 ft.
Spread: N/A
Growth Rate: Fast
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low
Hardiness: High
Native: No
Wildlife: No
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For more detailed information on this
plant go to:
Volusia Extension |
