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Products > Leucophyllum frutescens 'Los Alamitos'
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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figworts) |
| Origin: Southwest (U.S.) (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Pink |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: 6-8 feet |
| Width: 6-8 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Leucophyllum frutescens 'Los Alamitos' (Texas Sage) - An large upright dense semi-evergreen shrub to 6 to 8 feet tall by as wide with half to one inch long gray-green felty leaves and pale rose-pink flowers, that are funnel shaped with 5 petals in 2 lips. In full bloom in summer and fall, the flowers can smoother the plant with color. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate infrequently or not at all once established - an extremely drought and heat tolerant plant, though flowers heavier after some irrigation in summer. It is tolerant, and in fact prefers alkaline soils and hardy to about 5 degrees F so useful down to USDA zone 8 but does not like poorly drained wet soils or shade. Is often sheared and tolerates this treatment well but certainly looks better when only lightly pruned in late winter or early spring to maintain shape or even opened up to expose its branching structure and gray barked stems - later pruning can be done but risks removal of developing flower buds. Though evergreen, foliage is more sparse in winter with new leaves emerging in spring. Texas Sage is native from Northern Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas) north into Texas through the Rio Grande Plains and Trans-Pecos area into New Mexico where it grows on rocky slopes. It is considered to be one of Texas's most outstanding native plants where it has been declared the official state native shrub and is sometimes called "barometer bush" because flowering is triggered by higher humidity or rain. Other common names include Texas Ranger, Texas Rain Sage, Cenizo, Texas Silverleaf, Ash-bush, Wild Lilac, Purple Sage, Senisa, Cenicilla, Palo Cenizo and Hierba del Cenizo.
The information on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources as well as from observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery's garden and in other gardens that we have observed it in. We also will incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information, particularly if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that might aid others in growing Leucophyllum frutescens 'Los Alamitos'.
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