Beautiful and Maintenance-Free—Why You Need This Shrub in Your Garden
Designed to thrive in our climate, the Laredo improves on its predecessors.
By John Roark | Photography courtesy of Civano Nursery
A frequent presence in Southwestern landscapes, Texas sage can be found in more than a dozen varieties. Arizona gardeners love the silvery cupped leaves and the way the plants burst into bloom after a good rain. But what if you could make this beloved shrub even better? It has been done with the Laredo Texas sage (Leucophyllum zygophyllum ‘Laredo’ PPAF).
“The focus of what we’re doing is creating and breeding selections that will thrive in a built environment,” says Civano Nursery sales manager, social media and marketing director Stephanie Vickers. “I’m talking about areas that are exploding in Phoenix and Tucson, where developers come in and grade and compact the ground. There’s very little pore space in the soil, which means it’s impenetrable for water, air or nutrients.”
Not much can survive for long in such conditions, but the Laredo Texas sage, which was in development for seven years, could be the answer for those areas where nothing seems to flourish. “We wanted to create a line of plants that can thrive off of negligence, that can grow in an environment where there’s very little nutritional value in the soil, even during the record-breaking summer heat,” Vickers says.
“This is a great screening plant if you want to block the view of your neighbor or hide an electrical box,” the certified arborist continues. “The original zygophyllum could not handle nutrient-deprived soil or oversaturation. This is not to say that Laredo won’t thrive in very lush nutrient-rich soil. It will, but not every landscape has that.”
Whereas more compact varieties, such as the dwarf microburst Texas sage (Leucophyllum x candidum ‘Microburst’ PPAF) are a good choice for smaller spaces, Laredo can grow up to 6 feet in height and width, and its naturally rounded shape requires virtually zero upkeep. “You don’t need to prune or hedge Laredo,” says Vickers. “No maintenance is required, which can be hard for people to understand. This plant will do beautifully when left to its own devices. If you feel the need to maintain something, go pull a weed.”
Available at independent garden centers in Tucson and the Phoenix area, Laredo can be planted any time of year. “You can plant in the middle of winter or even in the middle of summer,” says Vickers. “There is no wrong time, as long as you water until the shrub is established. This is probably one of our fastest-growing Texas sages. You can expect a full-sized plant within a couple of years.”
Civano Nursery, Tucson, civanonursery.com
PLANT FACTS
- Type: Shrub
- Size: 5’H-6’H by 5′-6’W
- Blooms: Purple/pink; April through November
- Water needs: Low, once established
- Zones: 7-11
- Attracts: Pollinators
- Soil: All types
- Light: Full to reflected sun
- Maintenance: None
