Aloysia gratissima 'Punky Brewster'
Punky Brewster White Bee Brush
Item #: 17483
Zones: 7b to 10b, possibly colder
Dormancy: Winter
Height: 120" tall
Origin: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, United States, Uruguay
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
Aloysia gratissima 'Punky Brewster' is a 2023 Plant Delights/JLBG introduction of a Patrick McMillan collection from Brewster County, Texas. This amazing dryland shrub hails from rocky outcrops and grasslands from Texas west to Arizona, and south to Uruguay, where it forms a dense deciduous shrub, clothed with small green leaves. It is topped from early May (NC) through October with thousands of terminal clusters of vanilla-scented, small white flowers. Aloysia gratissima is loved by an array of pollinators, especially bees. It is also a magnet for goldfinches, who appear in flocks to consume the tasty flowers. In our trials, we have seen no trunk dieback at 11 degrees F. Aloysia gratissima has a wide soil tolerance from caliche to compost-rich garden soil.
Maintenance:
Aloysia gratissima requires little maintenance. It's tiny leaves practically disappear when shed in the fall. It blooms on new wood so it can be maintained at a smaller size than its potential 10' height. New growth produced after a hard cutback will bloom that same year. Where room is not an issue, it can be left unpruned. Growing this very worthwhile plant in colder climates might necessitate the pruning back of winter-killed stems come spring.
Growing Conditions:
Full sun all day is best, though it will flower well with at least 6 hours of sun. Very drought resistant and tolerant of a wide range of soil types, but not soggy ones.
Garden Value:
Aloysia gratissima is of great garden value. Its white flowers are produced from midspring into fall. Its delightful vanilla-like fragrance is noticeable at a distance from the plant. The plant is animated by a wide range of pollinators visiting the flowers. Its drought tolerance makes it suitable for xeric gardens and it will tolerate extended droughts that happen periodically in normally moist areas of the country.
Natural Impact:
Aloysia gratissima is a superb plant for supporting pollinating insects. As it is in the Verbena family, it is not likely to be eaten by deer.
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Other Attributes
Genus: Aloysia
Flower Color: White/Cream
Leaf Color: Green
Container Role: Thrillers
Garden Themes: Cottage Garden Plants , Night Gardens , Southwest Garden Plants , White Garden
Other: Butterfly Attracting Plants , Cut Flower Plants , Drought Tolerant Plants , Fragrant Flowers , Giant Plants , Pollinator Plants , Medicinal Plants , North American Native Plants , Plants Named After Animals , Plants that Attract Birds , Texas Native Plants , Xeriscaping Plants , United States Native Plants