Question
I am trying to find a  Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas Ranger) that was specified in a landscaping plan I had done but am having a tough time finding this plant. Any suggestions on a substitution for it ? I live in Zone 9 and the area I would plant it in will get about five hours of afternoon sun. Ideally, I would like it to be a perrenial. Thank you.

Answer
'White Cloud' Texas Sage is posted for sale at the wholesale Magnolia Gardens Nursery website:

http://www.magnoliagardensnursery.com/productdescrip/Leucophyllum_Compacta.html

See if they can direct you to a local retailer.

For Green Leaf Texas Sage plants go to Indiana's Rich Farm Garden Supply:

http://www.richfarmgarden.com/welcome.html

They have Green Leaf and a Compacta variety in their alphabetical list for mail order purchase.

I have lots of plants I can suggest, but I suspect there is more to the specs here than just the hardiness and sun.  Leaf texture, flower color and season, rain and moisture, fall color, soil factors -- lots of variables add up to any given plant in a landscape.  The Orchid kingdom alone has hundreds of possible alternatives.  I'm afraid my best advice here will be to stick with what you have -- I can send you other places to purchase this plant, but it is late in the season to place orders for this year and I would be shooting for next year.

This is a nice selection, and as you can see, not your plain vanilla landscaping choice.  Someone knows what they're doing.