{"title":"Aloysia","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe genus Aloysia (tree verbena) is a verbena relative containing about 35 species of intensely fragrant shrubs from the Southwest US to Chile. Some species (i.e., Aloysia triphylla aka Lemon Verbena) have fragrant leaves (when bruised) but other species, (i.e., Aloysia virgata) have powerfully fragrant flowers. Aloysia also produces \u003ca title=\"See our article for more butterfly attracting flowers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/blogs\/articles\/butterfly-garden-plants-host-attract-butterflies\"\u003eflowers that attract butterflies\u003c\/a\u003e. The genus Aloysia got its name the Spanish phrase 'Herba Louisa' referring to \u003ca title=\"Princess Maria Luisa of Parma Wiki opens in new tab\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maria_Luisa_of_Parma\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePrincess Maria Luisa of Parma\u003c\/a\u003e, the wife of King Charles IV of Spain.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAloysia prefers full sun and well-drained, consistently moist soil, although it does not like to be too wet in the winter. In warm climates, tree verbena are evergreen shrubs, but in our Raleigh, NC garden, they are dieback perennials. Try combining with other summer perennials such as canna, tamarisk or hibiscus. When you're ready to buy aloysia for your perennial garden, we hope you will check out our online offering of aloysia for sale.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"aloysia-virgata","title":"Aloysia virgata","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe have grown Aloysia virgata since 2001 and it has become one of our favorite summer flowering plants. In our climate, tree verbena dies to the ground in winter and behaves as an 8' tall perennial, whereas in more southerly climates it makes a large open shrub to 15'. The upright woody stems of Aloysia virgata are clothed with dark green sandpapery leaves. Starting in July and continuing until a hard frost, the branches end in terminal spikes of extremely fragrant white flowers that attract butterflies, other cool insects, and even garden visitors. The intoxicating fragrance of vanilla almond is strongest in late afternoon and evening.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere in zone 7b Piedmont North Carolina Aloysia virgata dies to ground each winter so the only maintenance it requires is to cut it to the ground at some point before new growth starts in spring. Aloysia virgata might need some renewal-pruning in milder areas where it does not die back each winter. It could also be cut back hard if it is necessary to restrict its size. As it blooms on new wood it will bloom even if cut back hard in late winter or spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun for 6 hours a day or more is best. Average soils that don't stay soggy are ideal.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGarden Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAloysia virgata's fragrance of almonds and vanilla is the best reason to grow this plant. It will perfume a garden space especially in the evening. Place it near a space that is used at that time of the day such as a patio. Numerous spikes of tiny white flowers are produced for months during summer and early fall. Pollinators love Aloysia virgata for the abundance of nectar and a long flowering period.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatural Impact:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAloysia virgata is a good supporter of pollinators and as a member of the verbena family (Verbenaceae) it is probably not grazed by deer.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWatch our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AebG7fcJvQ4\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePlant Spotlight\u003c\/a\u003e video for more information.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21028073221,"sku":"7587","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Aloysia-virgata.i-7587.s-61235.r-1.jpg?v=1792000758"},{"product_id":"aloysia-gratissima-punky-brewster","title":"Aloysia gratissima Punky Brewster","description":"\u003cp\u003eAloysia gratissima 'Punky Brewster' is a 2023 Plant Delights\/JLBG introduction of a Patrick McMillan collection from Brewster County, Texas. This amazing dryland shrub hails from rocky outcrops and grasslands from Texas west to Arizona, and south to Uruguay, where it forms a dense deciduous shrub, clothed with small green leaves. It is topped from early May (NC) through October with thousands of terminal clusters of vanilla-scented, small white flowers. Aloysia gratissima is loved by an array of pollinators, especially bees. It is also a magnet for goldfinches, who appear in flocks to consume the tasty flowers. In our trials, we have seen no trunk dieback at 11 degrees F. Aloysia gratissima has a wide soil tolerance from caliche to compost-rich garden soil.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAloysia gratissima requires little maintenance. It's tiny leaves practically disappear when shed in the fall. It blooms on new wood so it can be maintained at a smaller size than its potential 10' height. New growth produced after a hard cutback will bloom that same year. Where room is not an issue, it can be left unpruned. Growing this very worthwhile plant in colder climates might necessitate the pruning back of winter-killed stems come spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun all day is best, though it will flower well with at least 6 hours of sun. Very drought resistant and tolerant of a wide range of soil types, but not soggy ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGarden Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAloysia gratissima is of great garden value. Its white flowers are produced from midspring into fall. Its delightful vanilla-like fragrance is noticeable at a distance from the plant. The plant is animated by a wide range of pollinators visiting the flowers. Its drought tolerance makes it suitable for xeric gardens and it will tolerate extended droughts that happen periodically in normally moist areas of the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatural Impact: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAloysia gratissima is a superb plant for supporting pollinating insects. As it is in the Verbena family, it is not likely to be eaten by deer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40224030457943,"sku":"17483","price":20.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Aloysia-gratissima-Punky-Brewster.i-17483.s-67236.r-1_7eb00e00-c4c2-4afd-a25c-fca0955ec468.jpg?v=1784127322"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/collections\/Aloysia-virgata-1900x350.jpg?v=1680096513","url":"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/aloysia.oembed","provider":"Plant Delights Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}