The Leucophyllum Compacta, or compact Texas Sage, is a plant that loves heat and is grown perfectly in zone 8 to 11. As they are desert shrubs, these plants require almost no maintenance. However, a bit of maintenance can take them a long way.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll share a brief overview of the plant, how to care for it, and much more. Upon going through this, you’ll be better at handling these plants. So, let’s get right to it!
Overview Of The Plant
Belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family, the Leucophyllum Compacta is known by many names. Some common names for this plant are Texas Sage, Texas Rain Sage, Silverleaf, Barometer Bush, Purple Sage, and Wild Lilac.
They mostly grow on slopes and are found in areas with alkaline soil rich in Calcium Carbonate. These are natively found in Texas and Mexico, and that’s where they get their name from.
Although shrubs, these can grow up to 2.4 meters, which is rather tall for plants of this type. They can spread up to 1.8 meters across. However, most of these shrubs will grow only up to 1.5 meters if left unattended.
One of the main reasons why people grow these is their foliage. These plants not only have beautiful purple flowers but beautiful leaves as well. Their leaves are usually green with a lining of silver, and they can grow up to 2.5 cm in length. The level of silver on the leaves varies from variety to variety.
Leucophyllum Compacta, which is the “Compact” variety, grows up to 1.5 meters and has purple flowers and silver-green leaves.
Care Guide
No matter what the soil type is, loamy, clay, or sandy, you can grow Leucophyllum Compacta perfectly on it. The only thing you need to focus on in this aspect is water drainage.
These plants don’t fare well in muddy soil. So, ensure proper drainage, so water doesn’t clog the soil bed.
Another strong aspect of the Leucophyllum Compacta is that it doesn’t require any specific lighting conditions for growth. You can plant it in the shade, partial shade, or in full sun, and there won’t be any difference in the output.
This will help you greatly in combining areas of different lighting conditions in your garden. Plus, the plant will also look very different based on the amount of light it’s exposed to.
It’s one of those plants that require minimal watering for survival. If you live in a rainy area, you don’t have to water it at all. Instead, you may have to facilitate proper drainage so water doesn’t clog.
If you live in a dry climate, you’ll need to water this three to four times a month. You can get away with not watering these in case of a drought.
However, we recommend frequent watering before the plant is well-established as a shrub.
These plants mainly grow on dry soils on the rocky slopes of Texas. So, in most cases, you won’t have to fertilize them.
However, if you find that the plants aren’t flowering, you should get the soil checked by a professional. In most cases, soil with phosphorus deficiency can prevent these from blooming. However, this situation can be fixed easily with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer.
These plants are heat tolerant as they’re native to regions with warm climates. So, these will grow up pretty well in dry and warm climates. However, they aren’t resistant to cold, so it’s not a good idea to plant them in a gold climate.
You can grow these plants easily in USDA zones 6 to 10 without much effort.
Pests And Diseases
Leucophyllum Compacta is a very hardy flower, so it’s unlikely to suffer from pest or disease attacks. However, they may suffer from attacks by aphids or mealybugs, or other common garden pests. These can be dealt with easily with weak pesticides.
Also, if you fail to provide adequate drainage depending on the area you live in, the plants may develop mildew. You may also experience this in case of inadequate airflow or space.
What Are The Uses Of This Plant?
There are multiple uses of the Texas Sage. Let’s go through them in the following sections.
Beautification
If well maintained through pruning, the Leucophyllum Compacta plants can serve well as a hedge.
These plants also look great when they’re planted around a border or in small containers. However, you’ll have to prune them regularly to maintain a regular shape.
Attracts Wildlife
The colorful flowers of these plants can attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, all of which can help pollinate them even further. Also, they’re deer-resistant, so they can also protect your garden!
Is It Toxic?
No, Leucophyllum Compacta isn’t toxic for human beings or pets. ASPCA has recognized this plant as non-toxic for pets.
Is It Drought Tolerant?
Yes, Leucophyllum Compacta is a drought tolerant plant. However, there’s a catch to it. This plant becomes drought tolerant only when it matures properly, but it takes a long time to mature.
It takes at least two years for Compact Texas Sage to mature properly. Through this period, you’ll have to ensure adequate water for the plants to grow.
Conclusion
Leucophyllum Compacta is one of the best plants for decorating your garden or backyard. If you live in a region with a warm and dry climate, growing these will be a breeze for you. Even if you live in a place where it rains often, you can grow these by facilitating adequate drainage.
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