Looking absolutely dazzling in early August is our plant of Leucophyllum frutescens ‘Silver Spirit’. For decades we tried to grow this Southwestern US (Utah, Arizona, and Texas) native, but failed over and over again with winter survival, until Patrick McMillan shared cuttings of his Uvalde, Texas collection. After five years in the ground, it’s still a smashing success, as it approaches its’ mature 8′ height. Like rain lilies, Leucophyllum flowers in summer, days after a rain, or period of increased humidity, hence the common name, barometer bush.
This odd, evergreen shrub is in the Scrophulariaceae family. That puts it in the same family as Buddleia (butterfly bush) and Verbascum (Mullen). The key to its success in the garden is 4+ hours of sun and well-drained soils. Hardiness Zone 7b-10b.
Do hummingbirds like the flowers?
Purportedly, yes, although our plant isn’t located where we can observe them firsthand.