🌸 Sweet Almond (Aloysia virgata) — Live Plant
Ships in a 4" pot
Bring home the shrub that stops visitors in their tracks! The Sweet Almond Bush (also known as Almond Verbena) fills your garden with a rich, dessert-like perfume and non-stop white blooms that butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds can’t resist. Many describe its scent as “strawberry shortcake-ish” or “like a strong gardenia.” Either way, your nose will thank you every time you walk by!
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Aloysia virgata |
| Plant Type | Fragrant flowering shrub / small tree (Verbenaceae) |
| Sale Size (Ships In) | 4-inch pot (well-rooted starter) |
| Mature Size (Unpruned) | 5–15 ft tall × 3–8 ft wide |
| Mature Size (With Pruning) | 3–8 ft (easily kept smaller with regular trimming) |
| USDA Zones | 8a–11 |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6+ hours daily) |
| Cold Hardiness | Freezes back in zone 8–9 but regrows in spring |
| Growth Habit | Upright to arching, fast-growing |
| Spacing Requirements | 3–8 ft center-to-center, depending on landscape use |
🌸 Flower & Fragrance Details
- Bloom Season: Mid-summer to frost, with repeat flushes after light pruning
- Flower Appearance: Long, slender spikes of pure white blooms up to 8 inches long
- Fragrance: Sweet almond, vanilla, or “strawberry shortcake” scent
- Pollinators: Irresistible to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds
- Note: Ornamental only — this plant does not produce edible almonds
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
- Incredible Fragrance: Fill patios, walkways, and garden edges with a rich, sweet aroma
- Pollinator Magnet: Supports local ecosystems by feeding butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds
- Florida-Friendly: Named Florida’s “Plant of the Year” for its beauty, drought tolerance, and ecological value
- Low-Maintenance: Once established, thrives with little water and minimal care
- Versatile Use: Perfect as a specimen shrub, border accent, or container plant
- Fast-Growing: Quickly fills out garden spaces and provides continuous color
Origin Story
Native to northern Argentina and South America, Aloysia virgata was named in honor of Maria Louisa of Parma, Queen of Spain. The word “virgata” means “slender branches,” describing its graceful, arching form and elegant flower spikes.
Best Practices for Planting & Care
Where to Plant
- Choose a full-sun location for the best flowering results
- Prefers well-draining soil of any texture (sand, loam, or clay)
- Avoid areas with poor drainage or standing water
How to Plant (GreenDreams “High & Tight” Method)
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, no deeper than its height.
- Set the plant slightly above ground level to improve drainage.
- Backfill soil firmly around the roots to remove air pockets.
- Water deeply after planting.
Watering
- First 2 weeks: Water daily unless it rains
- Weeks 3–8: Water 2–3 times weekly
- After establishment: Water deeply once a week, then less frequently — this plant is drought-tolerant
Mulching
- Apply 2–3 inches of hardwood mulch, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot
Pruning
- Blooms on new growth, so prune after a flush or in late winter to shape and stimulate new flowers
- In cooler zones, simply cut back dead top growth — it resprouts quickly in spring
Winter Care (Florida & Gulf South)
- In Zones 8b–9a, expect dieback to the base; regrowth occurs by late spring
- In Zones 9b–11, it stays evergreen or semi-evergreen year-round
🪴 Container & Indoor Growing Tips
- Container Size: Start in a 3–5 gallon pot for patios or small gardens
- Soil Mix: Use a well-draining potting mix with good airflow
- Light: Place in full sun outdoors or the brightest indoor window if overwintering
⚠️ Cautions
- Allergies: The intense fragrance may bother those sensitive to scents
- Skin Sensitivity: Some individuals report mild irritation when handling leaves — wear gloves if sensitive
- Not Edible: This plant does not produce edible almonds
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Gardeners in Zones 8–11
- Those seeking fragrant plants for patios and pollinator gardens
- Landscapes with full sun and well-drained soil
- Homeowners who prefer low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Shady or overly wet locations
- Northern gardeners unable to protect plants from hard freezes
Spacing & Landscape Ideas
- Specimen or trio: 6–8 ft apart for full, airy appearance
- Informal hedge: 4–6 ft apart for dense, fragrant screening
- Patio placement: Near a door, walkway, or window to enjoy its evening perfume
Turn your yard into a fragrant paradise!
Order your Sweet Almond (Aloysia virgata) today and enjoy a season filled with heavenly blooms, pollinators, and irresistible scent. 🌸🌿
📍 Available for Local Pickup at GreenDreams!
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM | Sat: 8 AM – 3 PM
Come see what’s fresh 🌿
🌿 IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS
Please note: Plants purchased through our online store are not available for pickup at our retail nursery in Spring Hill, Florida.
Online inventory is housed at a separate facility and is priced, prepared, and handled exclusively for shipping.
🌱 Looking for larger plants or more selection?
Our retail nursery location offers far more availability, including larger sizes, specialty plants, and many selections not suitable for nationwide shipping.
Local pickup is available for retail nursery purchases only.
Visit our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery page to explore in-person shopping options.
🚚 LIVE PLANT SHIPPING & TRANSIT EXPECTATIONS
Live plants naturally experience stress during shipping. Temporary leaf drop, mild wilting, or cosmetic stress is normal after transit. Most plants recover quickly with proper watering, gradual light exposure, and basic aftercare. Some plants may require additional attention during the first few weeks.
Despite careful packing, minor cosmetic damage may occur during transit. Small issues such as broken leaves or stems typically resolve with time and proper care.
If your shipping box arrives with significant external damage, please contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a carrier claim.
⏱️ SHIPPING METHOD, TIMING & TRANSIT WINDOWS
All online orders ship via UPS Ground from our Central Florida nursery.
📦 Shipping Schedule: Orders ship once weekly on Mondays to reduce the risk of packages sitting in transit over weekends. A countdown clock on our website displays the next shipping date.
🚚 Typical Transit Times:
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Florida: 1–2 days
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Southern U.S.: approximately 2 days
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Midwest, West & Northern U.S.: 3–5 business days
Long-distance shipments, particularly to the western U.S., may experience additional transit time due to agricultural inspections in states such as Arizona, California, and Texas.
Extended transit times can be more challenging for small or tender plants and may require additional recovery care after arrival.
🌡️ EXTREME WEATHER & SEASONAL RISK
Live plants are sensitive to temperature extremes.
We cannot guarantee plant condition during periods of extreme summer heat or winter cold and freezing temperatures. Weather-related delays, carrier interruptions, or exposure during delivery are beyond our control.
Customers are responsible for:
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Monitoring tracking information sent via email
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Retrieving packages promptly upon delivery
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Preventing plants from being left outdoors in extreme conditions
During unsafe weather, holiday shipping volume, or extended transit risk, orders may be held and shipped the following week to protect plant health.
⚠️ CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITY & REFUND POLICY
By purchasing live plants, customers acknowledge and accept the risks associated with shipping, weather exposure, transit delays, and regional suitability.
Refunds or replacements are considered only under exceptional circumstances and in accordance with our return and refund policy. We are not responsible for:
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Weather-related damage
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Carrier delays
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Poor plant selection for a given climate or region
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Improper care after delivery
Upon purchase, customers assume full responsibility for the ongoing care and success of their plants.
✅ CONSENT & AGREEMENT
By completing a purchase, you confirm that you have read, understand, and agree to all shipping policies, responsibilities, and conditions outlined above.
Our goal is transparency, plant health, and long-term growing success — and we appreciate your understanding and care when ordering live plants.
