Aloysia citrodora (Lemon Verbena)
Lemon Verbena, Herb Louisa, Lemon Beebrush, Aloysia citriodora, Aloysia triphylla, Lippia citriodora
Prized for use in tisanes, liqueurs, cooking, potpourri, perfumes, and cosmetics, award-winner Aloysia citrodora (Lemon Verbena) is a deciduous sub-shrub with arching branches and narrowly lance-shaped, strongly lemon-scented, green leaves. The pointed leaves are arranged in whorls of three around the stems. From mid-summer to early fall, the bush produces large terminal panicles of tiny, four-petaled, white, or pale lilac flowers. The leaves are best used fresh and young. They are a common ingredient in many herbal teas and can be used to give a lemon flavor to fruit salads, desserts, and drinks. Evergreen in warm winter areas.
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
- Easy to grow, Lemon Verbena grows up to 6-8 ft. high (180-240 cm) and nearly as wide.
- Enjoys full sun in fertile, well-drained loam. Mulch in autumn to protect the roots. In heavy frost, areas grow it in a pot and bring it under protection during winter dormancy.
- Perfect for beds and borders, wall-side borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, Mediterranean gardens, herb gardens, or containers.
- Generally pest and disease free.
- In early to mid-spring cut back the previous year's flowering stems to within one or two buds of the older woody framework.
- Propagate by softwood cuttings.
- Native to Argentina, Chile.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 8
– 11 |
Climate Zones | 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
Plant Type | Herbs, Shrubs |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm) |
Spread | 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm) |
Spacing | 72" – 96" (180cm – 240cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
Elly Mens, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 11 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 8
– 11 |
Climate Zones | 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
Plant Type | Herbs, Shrubs |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm) |
Spread | 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm) |
Spacing | 72" – 96" (180cm – 240cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |