Wildflower Wednesday September 2019: Leucophyllum frutescens blooms just in time

When we had a good one-inch plus rainfall about 12 days ago, I started the countdown to blooms on our row of Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) along the driveway.  It usually takes about 10 days for the first blooms to emerge after a rain.  Blooms can appear in spring or summer but they are seen most reliably in the fall.

From the first tinge of lavender-pink it takes another couple of days for full bloom which arrived today -- just in time for Wildflower Wednesday.

The best garage door disguise

Native to South Texas and down into Mexico, these are 'Silverado' variety.  The true natives are a bit scrawny and sporadic for a neighborhood landscape.  While there were a few of those in our original landscape, they were removed over time and replaced by this fuller commercially grown version with intense flower color contrasted with gray-green foliage.  Despite common names which include Texas Sage, it's not a true sage which means it is not in genus Salvia.



Still close enough to the original to be a Wildflower Wednesday pick.  Shrubs can be wildflowers too.

Yesterday evening just beginning to reach peak bloom

  

Morning sun brings out more vibrant color

As soon as the blooms are out the bees get busy since the blooms only last a few days.  



Even with its rare bloom, this reminds me why I chose to plant Leucophyllum frutescens along the driveway.

Wildflower Wednesday is hosted by Gail at Clay and Limestone on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Summer Showers bring Sage Flowers

The Silverado Sage along the driveway are in bloom again and even more gorgeous than last year now they have matured.  The Silverados have a deeper color than standard sages and are less leggy.