Xeriscape Landscaping Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Shrubs

Bee Brush, Aloysia gratissima

Bee Brush, Aloysia gratissima. Photos Taken: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona. May 13, 2008.
Bee Brush, Aloysia gratissima. Photos Taken: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona. May 13, 2008.

Bee Brush, Aloysia gratissima	Bee Brush, Aloysia gratissima

Bee Brush Aloysia gratissima, Verbena Family: ( Verbenaceae ), Bee Brush: Also called; Aloysia lycioides, Whitebrush, White - Brush, Beebrush, Jazminillo, Chaparro Blanco, Privet Lippia, Tronsco, Cedron Whitebrush, Palo Amarillo, Poleo, Azahar del Campo, Cedrón del Monte, Niñarupá, Resedá del Campo, Arrayán del Campo, Usillo, Niño Rupá, Angel, Favorita, Jazminillo, Oreganillo, Romerillo, Vara-dulce, Hierba de la Princesa. Bee Brush is a fragrant slender erect evergreen shrub growing to about 6 feet with 6 foot spread. It can grow to a height of about 10 feet. It has squarish stems which are generally with a light gray bark and branches sometimes bearing sharp tips. Its fragrant leaves are silvery green and coarse textured, up to about 1 inch long by 5/16 inch wide, but often smaller, usually in clusters along the stems. From March to November its small white flowers are crowded upon spikes about 1 to 3 inches long which have a strong vanilla smell. Its flowers are attractive to butterflies and bees. It is toxic to horses, mules and burros. Hardy to 15F degrees. It can be considered invasive in some areas. Height: Up to 6 feet tall and can be 6 feet in width. Flowers: White or violet - tinged flowers; with yellow throats, on loose 1 to 3 inche long spikes. They have a strong vanilla scent. Blooming Time: March to November. Leaves: The 1 inch long by 5/16 inch wideleaves are silvery green and coarse textured. Found: Native to the Chihuahuan Desert, Southwestern US (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), and South America to Uruguay and Argentina. Elevation: 0 - 4,800 Feet. Habitat: Sandy desert soils, hot, sunny areas, good drainage, to 4,800 feet. Miscellaneous: Xeriscape plant. Photos Taken: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona. May 13, 2008.