It’s About Thyme
by CHRIS WINSLOW
The driest short-term drought in Texas history happened between the fall of 2010 and the fall of 2011, with 90-plus days of triple digit temperatures.
Though it was a terrible curse for gardeners and farmers alike, and we all lost trees and plants dear to our hearts, it did turn out to be an effective test of drought-tolerance for xeriscape plants. Could they really take the heat?
Many proved that they could but there is one special and often overlooked plant that I place at the very top of my list for hardiness and heat tolerance: Jerusalem sage.
Native to the Mediterranean region and in the Lamiaceae (mint) family, Jerusalem sage performs exceptionally well as an evergreen perennial in Texas. (Just to confuse us all, though commonly called “sage,” this plant is unrelated to the sage family.)
It is a tough plant that can reach a height of 4 feet and a spread of 6 to 8 feet. The foliage, soft and furry is grey-green and non-reflective. Its yellow, tubular flowers emerge in pretty whorls of 20 or more on short spikes above the foliage.
We had planted Jerusalem sage in two areas around the nursery. The ones planted along Frate Barker by the fence line were exposed to full sun all day, as well as car exhaust. The second patch was in nearly full shade beneath a live oak in our parking lot.
Both performed very well throughout the drought. The plants along Frate Barker were never watered and the shady area under the live oak was watered only occasionally.
I am impressed. This plant beat the worst drought and heat in Texas history and did it with no water!
An added short list of other worthy performers would include agaves, yuccas, mountain laurel, blackfoot daisy, four-nerve daisy, Mexican feather grass, and the native muhley grasses.
Happy gardening everyone!
If you have a question for Chris, send it via email to [email protected]. Or mail a postcard to It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 www.itsaboutthyme.com
