Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Texas "Barometer Bush" shows off rare blooms

"The sage in bloom is like perfume--Deep in the Heart of Texas"




I fondly remember singing those words from "Deep in the Heart of Texas" during the seventh inning stretch at the Houston Astrodome as the amazing (for its time) electronic scoreboard lit up with words and symbols of Texas. The world's first covered stadium and its mesmerizing scoreboard are now history.   Fortunately our native Texas sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) is still going strong and showing off somewhat rare blooms this past week.

Known as the "Barometer Bush" because it was once thought the sage blooms would predict rain, they typically only bloom after a soaking rain which means the sages here didn't bloom even once for nearly two years during the drought.  Somehow they know rain from irrigation so you can't trick them.  A nice overnight shower a week earlier brought on these fleeting blooms which last just a few days.



The 'Silverado' variety newly planted this spring is sporting dark pink blossoms along the driveway.


The flowers in the closeups with bees are on the older, more silvery sage by the street.  Sage flowers have a sweet fragrance which does not travel far so you have to get close to experience it. This bee has no problem finding the flowers though.  Look at those bulging pollen sacs on her legs!



Sweet!

21 comments:

  1. They are flowering like crazy out here, at least those you can find. Not sure it's humidity, or what you say, though it's been bone dry. Your combination in the 2nd to last pic is very nice as it fills in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been observing these for quite a while and they are consistent in blooming a week to 10 days after a rain. This holds even when the rain falls stops just east of here and their sages will bloom while mine do not. According to the TAMU website high soil moisture can also trigger blooms although that doesn't seem to be the case over there.

      Delete
  2. Lovely Sheryl! From what I understand, rain is slightly acid and has inorganic nitogen, and slight acidity activates the roots + nitrogen is converted by bacteria into usable forms (It may be much more complicated) - just a "household" understanding, but to my mind the combination of this and the water, lets plants look and grow better than tap water will ever do. Many succulent guys add vinegar (careful) to water to slightly acidify the water. You need pH meter for that. :-) LT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The nitrogen in the rain is something we learn about here as well. It's quite clear there is a connection when the day after a rain many plants seem to have a spurt of good growth that can't be fully attributed to rain alone.

      Our soil and water are very alkaline and I have considered adding a bit of vinegar to the container plants. Native cacti and succulents grow directly in the limestone rock but the ones from your part of the world might need it.

      Delete
    2. Depends on where you go, from acidic soil (proteas), other parts shale rock, etc. Also depends on specie, some grow in rocky outcrops, others open plains. You should just do some reading on the vinegar, because it can easily make water to acidic.

      Delete
  3. What a beautiful plant - drought tolerant and insect friendly too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The bees certainly do turn out for these occasions.

      Delete
  4. What a welcome sight this must be for you after two years of drought! I remember the song lyrics but don't think I'd ever seen pictures of "the sage in bloom." Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is quite welcome, we've had blooms off and on since the rains returned last fall.

      The purple blooms are impressive en masse along roads, I'll try to get a photo sometime.

      Delete
  5. Your row of sage is filling in nicely Shirley! I planted 7 'Silverado' sage last fall and they are also very happy. In the winter I was so surprised the fungus gnats got to them but they have made a full recovery and then some. It is incredible how much growth they put on in the heat too - the hotter the more growth they put on. Such a unique plant indeed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did check out your purple profusion and they look great Heather.

      Delete
  6. These are so pretty when in bloom. I should really find a spot for these in my garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They would bloom quite a bit over where it rains more.

      Delete
  7. This bush is such a treat during monsoon. I love the various shades of purple and lavender during our rains. Our have bloomed twice now. And the best part about these plants is that they require very little care here in Tucson....well maybe an occassional prune:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We don't have a rainy season as such, but that would be awesome to see the sage bloom more than once in a while.

      Delete
  8. The Silverado is a beautiful addition to the garden and is a treat whether in boom or not. Your bees look industrious and happy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do enjoy the silvery foliage all year, the bees have been scarce until last spring and now we see them whenever we have blooms.

      Delete
  9. Funny how we treasure most the coy plants that must be coaxed into bloom. Those look worth the wait, and I love putting the picture to the words of the song we all know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love hearing how a song about my neck of the woods is so well known elsewhere.

      Delete
  10. I've not heard of this plant before. Another one for my wish list. If it blooms after rain, it should flower well here in the UK.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Some of ours have bloomed this summer as well. So nice to have had rain this summer.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by. To comment simply open the Name/URL option, put in your name or initials and skip the URL.