Sweet Almond Verbena, Incense Bush

Lisa's Landscape & Design ♦ 07/13/2025 ♦ Leave a comment

Sweet Almond Verbena

Sweet Almond Verbena (Aloysia virgata), or Incense Bush is a large perennial shrub that is native to Argentina, but highly adapted to the Central Texas heat, low water and soil conditions.

Incredibly Fragrant

Almond Verbena is a fragrant shrub for hardiness zones 8-11. I have been in love with this shrub for as long as I can remember because it is such an elegant beast and the scent permeates a space in such a delightful way. I use the word “beast” because it’s a big momma. Reaching heights of 10-12’ and growing wide to 4-6’, it is a formidable structure in the landscape. However, the flowers are delightfully whimsical and dripping with the scent of almond extract and vanilla with a hint of grape soda.

Pollinators Love This Bush

Its incredibly strong fragrance and stunning white flowers are a major attraction for both pollinators and people. When designing for my clients, this is one of the plants I use quite frequently near sitting areas like decks and patios, as the fragrance wafts through the air and elevates the space. 

Dripping with nectar, these stunning white flower clusters attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds galore and the repeat blooms from spring to fall make it a buffet for pollinators to visit. 

Deciduous to Semi-Evergreen in Most Climates

This shrub has a mind of her own and tends to grow in every direction, but it’s also one of the interesting aspects of this plant. Enjoying 6-8 hours of sun for the best blooms, it can also thrive in part sun. Deer resistant and very low maintenance once established, it’s an excellent choice for the lazy gardener who likes the idea of planting and enjoying from a distance. 

The Almond Verbena has deep green, leathery leaves with a slightly sandpapered texture. The underside, or lower epidermis of the leaves is a blue green color that plays well with the light. It’s a fun addition for architectural reasons as it is for its flowers. It can be planted as a privacy row or as a specimen plant and is suitable for xeriscape gardens.

if you would like more information about outstanding plants, shrubs and trees for Central Texas, contact me for a Landscape Consultation or Landscape Design. 

Lisa LaPaso

Lisa’s Landscape & Design

“Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time’