Aloysia virgata

RHS Plant Profile
lipia

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Other common names

white almond bush

Shrubs
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A deciduous shrub, evergreen in milder climates if kept frost-free. It has green, paired leaves and spikes of long white flowers from summer into autumn. The flowers form at the ends of the shoots and have an intensely sweet fragrance

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Verbenaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Aloysia can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs with simple, paired or whorled, very aromatic leaves and small flowers in spike-like inflorescences
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. Plant in a container and protect over winter, if in cooler regions of the country

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Prune in spring to keep bushy

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free