Aloysia virgata (Sweet Almond Bush)

Prized for its long blooming and wonderfully scented flowers, Aloysia virgata (Sweet Almond Bush) is a woody large shrub or small tree of upright to slightly arching habit. Its long, slender branches are lined with oppositely arranged, elliptic, slightly glossy, dark green leaves. The foliage is evergreen in mild winter areas. Blooming profusely from midsummer to frost, showy terminal spikes, 8 in. long (20 cm), of sweetly fragrant white flowers are produced at the stem tips or leaf axils. Rich in nectar, they are visited by bees and butterflies. Sweet Almond Bush is dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring on different plants. Native to Argentina, Sweet Almond Bush can be used in containers, borders or as a specimen.

• Grows up to 5-15 ft. high (150-450 cm) and 3-8 ft. wide (90-240 cm). Vigorous pruning will keep the size and shape of this plant in check.
• Performs best in full sun in fertile, medium to dry, well-drained soils. Tolerant of occasional drought and poor soils.
• Perfect for beds and borders, rock gardens or containers.
• Deadheading throughout the growing season will promote more blooms.
• No serious pest and disease issues. If grown indoors, keep an eye out for white flies, spider mites, and aphids. Over watering or poorly draining soil can cause root rot. Deer resistant.
• Prune after flowering since flowers develop on the new growth.
• Propagated by seed, stem cuttings and air layering. Seeds should be stratified for 4 weeks at 39°F (4°C) and sown on the soil surface. They will germinate within 3 to 4 weeks.
• Native to Argentina.