by Lydia Holley August 15, 2022
Leucophyllum frutescens has many names: Cenzio, Texas Sage, and Barometer Bush, among others. Although a Texas native, it is not native to East Texas, preferring alkaline soil. It also requires a well-draining soil, and full sun.
An evergreen shrub, it is most stunning when in bloom. Purple flowers cover the bush after a rainfall, giving it the name Barometer Bush. It may bloom any month of the year, and it is incredible to see it in full bloom just a day or so after a rain.
My house got about two-tenths of an inch of rain over the past week, but that was not enough to trigger my Cenzio plant into blooming. I am waiting for a bigger rain to push its flowers open. My Cenzio is underplanted with sedum acre. Sedum acre has a yellow tone to its foliage, especially in spring, with miniature yellow flowers which make it shine, even if planted in shade.
Sedum acre is very easy to grow, and can be spread to other parts of your garden by sticking a sprig into moist soil. As you may guess, the sight of a bright golden ground cover planted underneath a purple-blooming bush is a lovely sight to behold.
Right now, however, I am satisfied with the gray leaves of the Cenzio bush, knowing that, unlike many of the plants in my garden, it is happy enough in the high heat we have been experiencing. If your soil is too acidic for its liking, you may grow Cenzio in a container. In extremely cold weather (below 10 degrees F), you may need to move it to a garage. Otherwise, it should happily grow and bloom for you.
Cenzios grow to around eight ft tall and wide. Prune in winter to keep it shorter or to maintain a pleasing shape. But prune often and little—it does not respond well to heavy pruning. There are a few cultivars of Cenzio available. You can find them with white flowers instead of purple, or green leaves instead of gray.
Even though you may become frustrated with its sporadic bloom cycle, when days are hot and dry, you will rejoice when you finally see flowers blooming on a barometer bush.
For more information, call 903-675-6130, email hendersonCMGA@gmail.com.
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