Aloysia triphylla (Lemon verbena)

Botanical name

Aloysia triphylla

Other names

Lemon verbena, Lemon plant, Verbena oil plant, Lemon scented verbena, Sweet scented verbena, Cidron, Limonetto, Lemon , Lippia citriodora, Herb Louisa, Aloysia citrodora, Aloysia citriodora

Genus

Aloysia Aloysia

Species

A. triphylla - A. triphylla is an upright, bushy, borderline hardy, deciduous shrub or sub-shrub with narrowly lance-shaped, lemon-scented, rough, bright green leaves and slender panicles of tiny, white or pale lilac flowers in late summer.

Native to

Argentina, Chile

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Refreshing lemon scent when leaves are crushed

Habit

Upright, Bushy

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

White, Lilac in Summer

Foliage

Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest free

Diseases

Generally disease free

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 6 or 13.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Aloysia triphylla (Lemon verbena) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 2.5m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Mediterranean, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun. In cold areas, apply a thick mulch in autumn. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 12, Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Aloysia triphylla (Lemon verbena)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/