Texas Sage is a popular shrub used in landscaping projects throughout Austin. A growing trend in landscaping focuses on utilizing native plants to their full potential rather than trying to establish non-native species. In Austin, that movement is more popular than ever! Thanks to our hot summers, finding vibrant plants that thrive is no easy task, but this plant offers a beautiful pop of color to residential yards, commercial landscaping and more.
What Makes Texas Sage a Good Plant for Austin?
Working with an Austin landscape company to add this plant to your property can be beneficial in many ways. Scientifically known as Leucophyllum frutescens, Texas sage is very drought tolerant. Summers in Austin frequently average 90 degrees Fahrenheit. On scorching summer days, many plants will struggle.
Fortunately, that’s not the case with Texas native plants like this. Leucophyllum frutescens requires regular watering as it establishes in a new environment. But once it’s mature and thriving, you can cut back on supplemental watering altogether!
Unlike most other plants in your garden, there’s no need to water this sage. The only exception is extreme periods of drought. But for the most part, the sage will get all the hydration it needs from natural rain.
How Big Does the Texas Sage Plant Get?
What’s great about the Leucophyllum frutescens plant is that it offers a big visual punch. It’s a shrub that you can prune and shape as you see fit. But if you want unfettered growth, you’ll get it!
The shrub is slow-growing but reaches a maximum height of six feet. It can also spread five to six feet wide, making it a great, high-impact plant you can plant anywhere on your property.
What Does Leucophyllum Frutescens Look Like?
Another reason why many property owners ask their Austin landscape company to plant this sage is because of its natural beauty. When most people think of a very drought tolerant plant, they envision succulents and other plants with muted colors. However, this one has plenty of vibrancy.
First, there’s the silver-green leaves. The soft-toned green is beautiful and can complement any landscaping design scheme. Best of all, Texas Sage is ever-green! That means the leaves will keep their color year-round.
Throughout the spring and fall, the plant will also produce eye-catching blooms. The flowers can range from bright pink to softer lavender. Some can also have white blossoms, depending on the unique cultivar. The mix of pale green and in-your-face blossoms gives this plant a stunning look against the tough Austin heat!
What Conditions Does the Texas Sage Thrive in Most?
Not only is this plant very drought tolerant, but it also does well in challenging growing conditions. Unlike other popular landscaping plants, this one doesn’t need ultra-fine soil to prosper.
It does best in rocky soil with good drainage. Ideally, its growing area should contain a mix of limestone, clay and caliche. It prefers soil on the alkaline side of the pH scale and loves to soak up the rays in full sun. Leucophyllum frutescens can do well in partial shade. But like other Texas native plants, full sun can make this plant reach its full, beautiful potential!
How Do You Care for Leucophyllum Frutescens?
This blooming sage is surprisingly low-maintenance. It’s very drought tolerant and doesn’t require supplemental watering. You won’t have to worry about fertilization, either. It’s even deer-resistant and pollinator-friendly.
The biggest concern will be pruning. However, that’s only an issue when the plant gets too much shade. Without full sun, the sage can get “leggy.” Fortunately, that’s easy to solve. An Austin landscape company can prune it in the late winter to encourage bushier growth.
Want to add Texas Sage or other Texas native plants to your property? Let Sullivan’s Landscaping & Lawn Care make it happen! We’re a full-service Austin landscaping company with many years of experience helping property owners like you get the outdoor spaces they’ve always wanted. We can help you choose the right plants for the job and provide maintenance services to keep them healthy. You can also turn to us for landscaping design and installation, irrigation systems, property clean-ups, outdoor lighting and more.
Your satisfaction is the top priority at Sullivan’s Landscaping & Lawn Care. We work hard to deliver results you can proudly show off while providing transparency, reliability and great communication along the way. We’re eager to discuss your needs. Call us today for your free job quote. You can reach us at (512) 599-4565. If you want us to reach out to you, email us at customerservice@sullivanslandscapingservice.com or submit our online contact form.
