Leucophyllum candidum     
Silverleaf ranger   
Scrophulariaceae Family     

Form: rounded or irregular shrub
Seasonality: evergreen
Size: 2-5ft with equal spread
Leaves: small, obovate, fuzzy, silvery white in color, alternate
Flowers: small, in leaf axils, blue/violet; blooms in response to rainfall
Fruit: small seed, not significant
Stems/Trunks: young twiggy growth is white and furry (like leaves), older growth more woody
Range/Origin: southern portions of Texas and into Mexico
Hardiness: to low teens or lower

leaf detail on Leucophyllum candidum

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• medians
• contrasting foliage color
• good in mass plantings
• outstanding color display

 

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun
• Water: natural rainfall; okay on one irrigation per month; also see notes re water
• Soil: requires fast draining soil; best with no amendments
• Propagation: vegetative cuttings from current season's growth (soft wood)
• Maintenance: low, prune or shear to shape if desired

NOTES:

aka Silver leaf sage or Cenizo

variety 'Silver Cloud' large, height 3-6ft
newer cultivar "Thunder Cloud' to only 3-4ft, purple flowers

L. candidum is known to be fussy about planting depth and watering cultural habits. Do not overwater. Do not plant in basin areas where water may accumulate. Water must not be allowed to accumulate around trunk or root zone. Plant in well-drained soil only. Also, plant frequently fails if planted too deep (e.g. if soil subsides in planting hole). Keep mulching material away from trunk. Use other Leucophyllum species if these issues are problems.

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This page was first created September 21, 2001 and last modified March 14, 2006.

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