What's that pretty shrub with purple flowers?

Question: I have recently seen some small shrubs with white leaves that are literally covered with purple flowers. These are beautiful! What are they? Answer: You are probably describing a species or cultivar of Leucophyllum. These plants love heat and flower when the monsoons bring rain. They have many common names. Some of these are violet silverleaf, cenizo, violet Texas Ranger, and Texas sage. They have been grown successfully in southern New Mexico for years, but in recent years I have found them growing and doing well as far north as Albuquerque. In protected locations (warm courtyards, etc.), they may survive and flower even further north.  more