Cenizo or Leucophylum frutescens may not be familiar to northern gardeners but it has become almost ubiquitous in Texas gardens. I can’t remember ever seeing one when I was growing up though. It is not really native to this area, it’s a desert plant from northern Mexico and west Texas, but it was introduced into the nursery trade and took off. It’s silver foliage looks good in the landscape both summer and winter, and it is such a splendid sight when it blooms.

It is said to only bloom after summer showers. I have never been able to trick it with a sprinkler. They are blooming all over town right now. Rain is in the forecast but to my knowledge none has fallen here yet.