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| Flaxleaf Bouchea, Groovestem Bouchea Bouchea linifolia Verbenaceae Flaxleaf bouchea blooms prolifically with beautiful blue/purple flowers starting in July and not abating until late October, or as long as it is hot and dry. It is a small, one- to three-foot tall shrub that grows in desert limestone habitats in the Edwards Plateau and Trans-Pecos. Extremely drought tolerant, it grows well as far north and east as Dallas, as long as it has sun, good drainage, and no supplemental moisture. Flaxleaf bouchea is a perfect plant for dry gardens in mineral-rich soil with little organic matter, either as an accent or massed as a tall ground cover. It is sparsely branched, sometimes a little too much so, but severe pruning while it is dormant will make it more compact. The nectar attracts several butterfly species. Native plant enthusiasts are baffled as to why a plant with so many exemplary qualities (prolific, beautiful, flowers, very long bloom period, drought and heat tolerance, requiring practically no maintenance) is not offered in nurseries, and are hopeful that will not be the case for long. Plant Habit or Use: small shrub Exposure: sun Flower Color: purplish to lavender
Blooming Period: spring Fruit Characteristics: two-part berry Height: 2 to 3 feet Width: 2 to 3 feet Plant Character: semievergreen Heat Tolerance: very high Water Requirements:
Soil Requirements: neutral Additional Comments:
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