Common Names include Brewster County Barometerbush, Violet Silverleaf, Boquillas Silverleaf, Purple Ceniza, Cenizo.
L. candidum is a plant closely related to L. frutescens. It’s smaller and more compact, featuring beautifully silvery leaves that almost appear white. This plant stands out with its vibrant violet flowers that bloom during the summer and fall in response to humidity or rainfall. It’s native to the stunning gravelly hills of Big Bend National Park and the Black Gap Wildlife Refuge in Southern Brewster County, part of the Trans-Pecos region of Texas.
Typically, it thrives in limestone-origin soils, especially on caliche hillsides. Silver Cloud loves being planted in highly well-drained alkaline soil in full sun, as too much water or poor drainage can be harmful, and shade may lead to sparse, leggy growth and fewer flowers.
If your soil leans acidic, a sprinkle of dolomitic limestone will help. Fertilizing isn’t necessary for these charming plants. Silver Clouds are quite resilient, with minimal susceptibility to pests or diseases, apart from cotton root rot, which can usually be kept at bay with well-drained soil. While Silver Cloud doesn’t require pruning, gentle trimming can be beneficial just before buds form in late winter or early spring. It does respond well to heavy pruning.
BONAP MAP
Height: 3′ Spread: 3′ Bloom: May-November Light: Full Sun Water: Low Zone: 8-11 Origin: Texas, Mexico
