Looking for a beautifully scented plant that’s easy to grow? Discover why lemon verbena deserves a place in every UK garden.
Close your eyes, crush a leaf between your fingers and breathe in. The fresh citrus fragrance of lemon verbena is unlike anything else in the garden.
It’s one of those plants that catches people by surprise. Delicate in appearance but packed with perfume, lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a real hidden gem. Whether you’re growing it in a patio pot, herb garden or sunny border, it’s a plant that rewards you every time you brush past it.
At Hildreth’s Garden Centre, it’s one of those plants we love introducing customers to. Once they’ve experienced its incredible scent, it rarely stays on the bench for long. As you can see…Gareth LOVES it!
Will it survive a British winter?
As resident plant expert, Gareth says, Lemon verbena enjoys our warm summer weather but isn’t completely hardy in colder parts of the UK.
Don’t be alarmed if it loses its leaves during autumn either. The plant naturally goes dormant over winter and often looks rather lifeless until spring arrives.
As Gareth says, if you’re growing it in a container, move it somewhere cool but frost-free, such as a greenhouse, conservatory or sheltered porch. Plants growing in the ground may often survive milder winters if they’re planted in a protected position with well-drained soil and a layer of mulch around the roots.
With a little care, you’ll be rewarded with fresh new growth the following spring.
But actually, one of the joys of growing lemon verbena is being able to bring it indoors.
Fresh leaves make the wonderfully refreshing herbal tea Gareth talks about and can also be used to flavour cakes, biscuits, syrups, fruit salads and homemade cordials. The leaves dry well too, allowing you to enjoy their citrus fragrance long after summer has ended.
Even placing a few sprigs in a vase or bowl will fill a room with their unmistakable lemon scent.
A great choice for wildlife
Lemon verbena doesn’t just benefit gardeners.
When in flower, it provides a valuable source of nectar for bees and other pollinating insects, making it a lovely addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.
Combined with lavender, salvias and verbena bonariensis, it helps create a colourful, fragrant planting scheme that’s buzzing with life throughout the summer months.
Are you following us on social yet? Catch more news and tips there! And don’t forget to sign up to our monthly newsletter and follow our socials for more news and offers.
Follow us on Instagram @hildreths.garden.centre on Facebook @Hildreths Garden Centre and TikTok @hildreths.gc
Shop our BBQs and premium garden furniture online at www.garden-space.co.uk
If you have time, please leave us a Google Review here. We’re independent and family-run so we’d really appreciate it.