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Shrubs

Aloysia virgata

lipia

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

Other common names

white almond bush

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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)

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

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