How to Grow and Care for Beebrushes

Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a perennial shrub species that was brought to Europe by Spanish and Portuguese sailors in the 17th century for its oil. This species is native to South America. Lemon verbena emits a strong lemon scent when bruised. The epithet "citrodora" in the scientific name means "lemon-scented." This species blooms in late spring or early summer, although potted lemon verbenas may not flower. Another name for this species is lemon beebrush.

Aloysia gratissima is an aromatic shrub that attracts various types of bees and butterflies. Though attractive to small mammals who seek shelter under its canopy, this shrub is toxic to horses and mules. Whitebrush is often used as a fragrant garden ornamental in warm and tropical climates.

The sweet almond bush isn’t actually an almond, but gets its name from its almond-like fragrance. It is a prized garden shrub because of its fragrant, long blooming flowers. Attractive to butterflies and bees, this plant can be grown in containers or allowed to spread out in the beds and borders of cottage gardens.

Wright's beebrush (Aloysia wrightii) is a perennial semi-evergreen shrub that blooms from summer to fall with tiny white flowers that bloom in clusters and attract butterflies and moths. Flowers are covered in fine soft hair. Grayish-green foliage has a pleasant scent.

A member of the verbena family, rio grande beebrush (Aloysia macrostachya) is a short perennial shrub with distinctive, somewhat woolly purple blossoms. It has an impressively long blooming season, flowering from early spring to late autumn, and does well in poor, somewhat rocky soil or sandy loam. If the plant does wither in winter, it will reappear the following spring.