Barometer bush said it would rain
It’s said that Leucophyllum frutescens—also known as cenizo, Texas ranger, Texas sage, and, most tellingly, barometer bush—predicts precipitation by bursting into bloom. Overnight this airy, commonplace native Texas shrub transforms from a handsome silvery gray to an eye-popping silver-and-purple combo, with a profusion of bee-attracting blossoms stopping traffic on Austin’s residential streets.
The sight of a cenizo in bloom is incredible, and best of all it means rain is in the forecast. Cenizo may also bloom after a rain or, according to Mr. Smarty Plants, simply when humidity levels are high.
I spotted this cenizo in full bloom on Thursday and pulled over to get pictures. Yesterday and today it has rained off and on all day. Today’s high was a mind-blowing 78 degrees (25.5 C).
78 degrees! And rain! (Picture a happy dance.)
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I am glad the weather seems to be turning for you. I have recently wondered if this plant would do well for us, but thought that our persistent humidity and higher rainfall would not suit it. It certainly is beautiful.
Wow Pam…I have never heard of that one. Very pretty!
It’s a beautiful flowering shrub. I like the it can predict rain version of the story! …Even if Mr Smarty Plants says it’s the humidity! I am so glad the weather is improving. gail
SPECTACULAR! Thank you for sharing this this native plant of yours.
Happy Gardening to you in Texas.
oh Lucky You Guys! Rain! wow. Still dry here in N. Cal. though it was humid today. I wonder if that plant would do well here. Sure is pretty!
I love, love, love when the Texas Sage is in bloom! The whole town just turns purple. I also love the leaves of that Silver Cloud variety!
I so understand the 78 degree ‘happy dance’!! We’ve had an unusually cool (relatively speaking) September – we actually got down to 64 degrees a few nights ago (and not out of the 70s for two days). It was like a little weather miracle! Glad to hear that you got a bit of rain – I saw the low pressure system off your coast, and was hoping that you Austinites might receive some rain!
Oh, and that barometer bush is stunning!
I just love the gaudy beauty of Texas Sage…and I too am doing the happy dance. Woo-hoo!
My Texas Sage only blooms about 10 days after a rain rather than before. I wonder why that is. I love the fragrance of the flowers–they rival Cassia in my opinion.
Aiyana
What a beautiful plant! Many of our native plants bloom after wet weather rather than at a particular day-length or temperature.
Enjoy the cooler weather. We got over 30 C today (88 F) which is a bit high for this time of year.
What a fun plant. Glad you all are getting rain, though I saw on the news this morning there is some flooding. Hope all is ok for you and your garden.
For central Texas, rainfall is always feast or famine. Yes, there is major flooding north of Austin, and some roads in Austin have been closed. But the new-baby garden is high and—well, not dry (yippee!), but in no danger of flooding. Thanks for your concern, Janet. —Pam
I’m afraid I may have missed the Austin flowering. This rain will have dashed a lot of the blooms to the ground.
Beautiful and functional!
Wow! I’m growing a little red version of Texas Ranger. I’ve heard of the purple ones, but amazing! I gotta get me one of those!
Deliriously happy for you and all of Austin. Don’t float away. That sage does take my breath away.~~Dee
Oh my! I LOVE that! I looked up the zones and it says 8a and I’m 7b. I’d be pushing the edge on that. In a mild winter… but, I’d cry if I grew it and then lost it!
Cameron
We are loving those purple blooms here in Wichita Falls as well! I am learning so much about my new state from your website. Thank you.
Spectacular! I can’t wait to get some.
What a beautiful plant. I’ve seen them blooming here in Houston, although our climate has more humidity than these prefer. I have seen some in our neighborhood in large containers blooming. Perhaps keeping their feet dry helps.
Very beautiful plant that I have never heard of!
Jake
Hi, Pam, I LOVE Texas sage. I had three bushes in my back yard in Arizona. I used to approach it early in the morning when it was in full bloom and stand very still and just take in the chorus of the bees. I LOVED that experience, and keep meaning to try to recreate up here. It must be possible, right? Thanks for reminding me of my fondness for its beauty.