Hardiness zones:
Sunset 7-24
USDA 8-11 (arid and semi arid zones only)
Landscape Use: Accent, informal hedge, filler for desert gardens and landscape settings, rock gardens, useful where gray color and a fine texture is desired
Form & Character: Smaller evergreen shrub, rounded to irregular, dry and open in appearance
Growth Habit: Variety silver cloudTM grows moderately to 4'-5' in height, while var. thunder cloudTM grows more slowly to 3' to 4' in height. Both varieties have spreads that are about equal to their height.
Foliage/texture: Leaves are alternately arranged on the stem, silver gray (nearly white), highly tomentose foliage and stems, leaves small to 1" long or less, elliptic to obovate and sessile, fine texture
Flowers & fruits: Axillary indigo colored flowers, fruit inconspicuous on new wood
Seasonal color: Flowers during warm season, peak flowering in late summer to early fall
Temperature: Very tolerant of Phoenix heat
Light: Full sun, shade intolerant
Soil: Prefers alkaline soils, must have a well drained soil
Watering: Apply no supplemental water during winter. Add supplemental water during summer particularly if monsoon rains are paltry.
Pruning: Best if pruned once a year in late February. Variety thunder cloudTM may not need pruning at all due to it's diminutive stature. DO NOT SHEAR!!!
Propagation: Seed and cutting
Disease and pests: Texas root rot in poorly drained formerly agricultural soils is common.
Additional comments: Silver leaf sage leaves are more persistent in winter and smaller than L. frutescens. Variety thunder cloudTM is a smaller, superior improved version of var. silver cloud that is less prone to shearing abuse by landscape hacks with power shears in hand. Both varieties are trademarked by Texas A&M University.
