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Aloysia virgata

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
a-loy-SEE-uh vir-GAY-tuh
Description

Sweet Almond Bush is a fast-growing woody large shrub or small tree native to South America. In zones 10-11 it can be grown as a tree or shrub. In zones 8-9 it will die to the ground in the winter and can be grown as a perennial.

This plant is grown for its intensely fragrant flowers. They bloom on new growth so pruning frequently will not only keep its size in check but increase blooms. It prefers average to dry well-drained soil in full sun and can tolerate some drought. Use in containers, borders or as a specimen.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#white flowers#fast growing#large shrub#border planting#butterfly friendly#container plant
 
Form
Form CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum
JC Raulston Arboretum
Branch
Branch KM CC BY 2.0
Close up of flower
Close up of flower Adam Skowronski CC BY-ND 2.0
Leaves
Leaves silvan_shephard CC BY-NC 4.0
Aloysia virgata
Flower and Leaves Close-up Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#specimen#white flowers#fast growing#large shrub#border planting#butterfly friendly#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aloysia
    Species:
    virgata
    Family:
    Verbenaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South America
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Spikes of very fragrant small white flowers on the ends of new growth July to frost
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Slightly glossy green leaves with toothed margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought