One of the superstars in our fall garden every year is the amazing Aloysia virgata, better known as tree verbena. Our 24 year old clump, pictured below is grown here as a dieback perennial. From the ground in spring, this South American (Argentina, Brazil) native reaches 10-12′ tall by fall in our zone 7b/8a garden. In colder winter climates, the single growing season height may be less and in warmer climates where it does not dieback to the ground it can reach 15-20′. In our climate, the terminal panicles of white flowers which smell like sweet vanilla almond, begin a pollinator feast in July that continues unabated until frost. Thanks to its desert upbringing, the upright woody stems of Aloysia virgata are clothed with dark green sandpapery leaves and therefore typically not browsed by deer. You’ll want to locate this where you walk regularly, especially late in the afternoon when the scent becomes intoxicatingly strong.
Job done, I’m ‘allured’. The blooms resemble IItea virginica “Virginia Sweetspire”.
Being native to South American deserts I would assume it has drought tolerance, and along the edges of dry shade on a southern exposure in NC zone 7b/8a would be ideal. Being a fast-growing root-hardy perennial I would assume it establishes quickly and matures following the typical 3-yr plan?
Greg
If planted early in the year, it will be fully established and 4-6′ tall at the end of year 1.