Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Heavenly Cloud Sage
Heavenly Cloud Sage is a fast-growing Texas sage with medium green leaves, a cross of Green Cloud and Chihuahuan sage. It grows about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Lavender flowers cover it in flushes when the summer heat and humidity rise, especially after monsoon rain. It thrives on full sun, reflected heat and little water.
Best for: informal hedges and screens, block walls with reflected heat, and big low-water beds that want summer flowers. A fast Texas sage with green leaves instead of silver.
Heavenly Cloud grows fast to about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, a good height for screening a wall or a neighbor. Let it grow into its natural rounded shape instead of shearing it flat.
It takes full sun and the reflected heat off block walls and paving. In shade Texas sages grow leggy and bloom less, so give it the hottest, brightest spot you have.
Its lavender flowers open in flushes when heat and humidity climb, most heavily after summer rain. Bees, butterflies and birds visit the blooms. It keeps flowering on and off into fall when the weather stays warm and humid.
Too much water and poorly drained soil cause root rot, the most common way to lose a Texas sage. Shearing it into balls or boxes cuts off the flower buds and thins the inside of the plant. Water deeply but rarely, and prune by hand.
- Tight hedge or screen6 ft apart, center to center
- Looser hedge or bed8 ft apart, center to center
Water every few days at first, then gradually stretch the time between soakings over the first couple of months. Water deeply each time and let the top of the soil dry before the next soak.
Once rooted, give it a deep soak about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and about once a month or less in winter. Beyond rain it needs little, except during long dry spells.
Its natural shape needs little pruning. If you prune, cut select branches with hand pruners in late winter or early spring. Shearing removes flower buds and thins the inside of the plant.
A plant that has outgrown its space can take a hard renewal cut in early spring. Then let it grow back into its natural rounded form.
Too much water and poorly drained soil cause root rot. Plant it where water drains away, and water little in winter.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Heavenly Cloud sage get?
It usually grows about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. It grows fast, so give it room or plan to thin select branches by hand each spring.
How is it different from other Texas sages?
It is a cross of Green Cloud and Chihuahuan sage. It has medium green leaves instead of silver, grows fast and carries lavender flowers.
When does it bloom?
It blooms in flushes from late spring into fall, heaviest when heat and humidity rise after summer rain. That habit is why Texas sages are called barometer bushes.
How often should I water it?
Water often while it roots in, then let the soil dry before the next deep soak. Once rooted, soak it about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and about once a month or less in winter.
Why are the leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing leaves often mean too much water or soil that stays wet. Cut back on watering and make sure water drains away from the roots.
Should I shear it?
No. Shearing into balls or boxes cuts off the flower buds and leaves a thin shell of leaves. Prune select branches with hand pruners in late winter or early spring instead.
What if it gets too big?
An overgrown plant can take a hard renewal cut in early spring. After that, leave it alone and let it grow back into its natural shape.
Is it cold hardy?
Yes. It handles about 10°F, colder than the Valley usually gets.
Does it need full sun?
Yes. In shade it grows leggy and flowers less. Full sun and reflected heat suit it best.
Does it attract pollinators?
Yes. Bees, butterflies and birds visit the flowers.
Do rabbits eat it?
Deer and rabbits usually leave Texas sages alone, so it is a good choice for yards with rabbit traffic.
Heavenly Cloud Sage for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Heavenly Cloud Sage is a fast-growing Texas sage with medium green leaves and lavender flowers that open after summer rain and humid weather. Below: size, spacing for a screen, watering, pruning and soil.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Heavenly Cloud Texas sage in the Valley
A fast, green-leaved Texas sage with lavender flowers for hedges, screens and hot walls.
How big does Heavenly Cloud sage get?
It grows fast to about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. That is a good height for screening a wall or a neighbor.
When does Heavenly Cloud bloom?
It blooms in flushes when summer heat and humidity rise, heaviest after monsoon rain.
Watering Heavenly Cloud sage
Once rooted, a deep soak every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and about monthly in winter is plenty. Too much water causes root rot.
Pruning Texas sage without shearing
Cut select branches by hand in late winter or early spring. Shearing removes flower buds and thins the plant.
Heavenly Cloud vs Green Cloud sage
Heavenly Cloud is a cross of Green Cloud and Chihuahuan sage, with green leaves and lavender flowers.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.