Verbenaceae - Botanical Family

This medicinal plant related to Lantana is widely cultivated in Mexico as an ornamental for its aromatic foliage and beautiful flowers. The essential oil composition is unique to each plant, but may include piperitone, geranial, neral, caryophyllene, camphor, eucalyptol, limonene, and many others. The leaves are used for flavoring foods, such as mole sauces from Oaxaca, Mexico. The plant is used medicinally for its somatic, sedative, antidepressant, and analgesic properties.

Leaves and roots are used to make tea or syrup for cough relief and are said to relieve symptoms from anxiety to flatulence and hypertension.

Just brushing past it releases a wave of spicy, citrusy fragrance. It is an herb garden must-have. Fast-growing, drought-tough, flood-friendly, and practically indestructible - it thrives where other plants fail! Whether you re into healing herbs, culinary magic, or just want the best-smelling plant in your garden - this is it.

The Nashia inaguensis, also known as Moujean Tea, Bahamas Berry, or Pineapple Verbena, boasts delightfully fragrant leaves. This evergreen shrub hails from the island of Inagua in the Bahamas and is often cultivated as a bonsai due to its small size. During summer, it produces tiny white flowers in clusters that are followed by reddish orange berries. It thrives in full sun, warm temperatures, and high humidity, and requires consistent moisture to prevent drying out. Its fragrant leaves can be brewed into a tea that offers a citrusy, vanilla-like, or pineapple-like flavor and aroma.

This plant is an excellent choice for a small topiary or bonsai and makes a stunning centerpiece in Southern gardens. The plant has a low-growing habit of 2 feet, but can grow up to 5 feet when mature. It responds well to pruning and can be shaped and sized according to your preference. If planted along a walkway, the leaves can be lightly brushed to emit their enchanting scent with each passing.

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Arbor Tristis, Night-flowering Jasmine) is a large shrub or small tree native to South Asia and India. It typically grows 5-10 feet tall but can reach up to 20 feet in favorable conditions. The plant has rough, hairy leaves and produces clusters of highly fragrant white flowers with bright orange centers. Blossoms open at night, fill the air with perfume, and fall by morning, carpeting the ground with petals. This combination of beauty and fleeting bloom has long made it one of the most admired night-flowering ornamentals.

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil with moderate watering. It is hardy to the mid 30F for short periods, placing it in USDA Zone 10-11 with frost protection recommended. The plant flowers in late summer to fall in many tropical gardens and responds well to monthly fertilization. It is often grown near patios or walkways where its fragrance can be enjoyed at night. While its flowers and leaves are mentioned in traditional medicine and temple rituals, it is primarily cultivated today as an ornamental tree prized for its unique nocturnal blooms.

In addition to its medicinal and spiritual importance, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is also cherished for its beauty and romantic lore. One tale tells that Lord Krishna brought the tree to earth, sparking a quarrel between his wives Satyabhama and Rukmini. Another legend speaks of Princess Parijat, who loved Surya, the Sun God. After her tragic death, the gods granted her a new life as this tree, whose pure white flowers with blazing orange centers symbolize the sun in her heart. The blossoms release fragrance at night, but fall at dawn like tears, unable to bear the rays of the sun.

Oxera pulchella (Royal Creeper) is a vine or creeper native to New Caledonia. This tender evergreen climber is quite splendid, with thick, leathery, bluntly ovate leaves. In the perfect conditions the stems will reach 8-10ft or more, boastingly displaying large clusters of white to off-white Azalea shaped pendant bells flowers with a hint of cream yellow. The perfect trumpet shaped blooms are sure to attract an abundance of butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating species.

This climber will require a full, sunny spot and fertile, light soil. It is hardy at least up to 30°F for a short time making it a good choice to grow in USDA Zone 10-11. Regular watering is recommended for best results, however after flowering the water should be reduced for conservation. The Royal Creeper is a winter bloomer, and it might very well be one of its most beautiful features, adding a dainty spectacle in the colder months.

For those living in cold climate, we advise planting the Royal Creeper in containers and using insulation materials to protect it from the cold. These materials can range from straw and wood shavings to plastic wrap, covering the plant with a burlap sack, and bring the pot indoors when necessary. Gardeners must also make sure to adjust the amount of water and fertilizer accordingly, as planted in containers the climber will require more frequent waterings, and a more balanced nutritional diet.

This amazing climber brings ease of culture, vigorous growth and stunning floral form to the container gardener. Flowering from spring through fall, the blooms form on the tips of its vining stems and pendulate down 2' or more in length. Soft yellow bracts and creamy white flowers form a pendulous infloresence that opens over many weeks. Train it on a trellis or a fence.

See Article about Petraeovitex bambusetorum.

Petrea arborea, commonly known as Blue Jasmine, is a large shrub that can grow to a height of between five and ten feet. It is native to tropical America and is grown in USDA zones 9 to 11. Blue Jasmine is a delightful and attractive flowering shrub that will brighten up any outdoor space.

This shrub requires little maintenance but will require moderate watering during dry periods. It loves full sun and should have consistent access to plenty of bright, direct sunlight. If planted in an area with too little sun, Blue Jasmine may become less vigorous and the flowers may not be as plentiful and vivid.

When given the right care, Blue Jasmine will put on a spectacular show of bluish-plum flowers in the late winter. These blooms also come in lavender and purple shades that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

When growing Blue Jasmine in areas where it is not hardy or in a contained environment, such as a pot, it is important to provide extra protections during the winter. This shrub can thrive in colder regions but will require extra perseverance. Maintaining the right soil type is essential. It needs a well-draining, slightly acidic soil and will also require additional protection in the winter and supplemental watering. Mulching is highly recommended, as this will help insulate the root system and will also help the soil stay moist.

Overall, Petrea arborea is a beautiful and hardy shrub that will bring a burst of life to any outdoor space. With the right care and attention, it will reward you with stunning blooms every year.

This snow white sister of Petrea volubilis is a rare variety of Petrea. Unlike its purple cousin, it boasts clusters of snow-white, pinwheel-shaped flowers that cascade gracefully, resembling a delicate white wisteria. These blooms appear from late winter through spring, creating a stunning display that will captivate any onlooker. The tall clusters of flower can be reaching over 1 foot long! Its lush green, sandpaper-like leaves provide a perfect backdrop, enhancing the contrast with the brilliant white flowers.

Thriving in warm and humid conditions, its blooms last a couple of days, but the blue calices persist much longer, and more new flowers are coming every day. Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

This vigorous vine has woody stems and requires sturdy support, such as a fence or large trellis, to showcase its full beauty. It grows fast and can cover a large fence within just a couple of seasons.

Petrea volubilis, commonly known as Queen's Wreath, Purple Wreath, or Sandpaper Vine, is a vigorous evergreen to semi-evergreen woody vine in the Verbenaceae family, native from Mexico and Central America into tropical South America and the Caribbean. It can climb 20-40 ft (6-12 m) with support, developing rough, sandpaper-like leaves and spectacular hanging clusters of violet-blue to purple flowers. Each small flower is surrounded by a five-pointed, star-shaped calyx that remains attractive after the corolla falls, greatly extending the floral display. Flowering is often heaviest in spring, with additional flushes possible during warm weather. White-flowered forms are also cultivated.

Queen's Wreath grows best in full sun to light shade and fertile, well-drained soil with regular moisture while establishing. Mature plants tolerate some drought but flower more generously with adequate water during active growth. It is suitable for USDA Zones 10-11 and can be grown in warm parts of Zone 9 with protection, where cold may damage or kill back the top growth. The vigorous stems can be trained over pergolas, fences, trellises, and arches, and pruning after flowering helps control size and encourage branching. In colder climates, Petrea volubilis can be maintained as a large container plant and protected indoors during winter.

See Article about Petrea.

Known by the Aztec as "Tzopelic Xihuitl". This Mexican herb with oval-shaped leaves and small white flowers is a sprawling ground cover type plant that has an incredibly sweet leaf. This natural sweetener many times sweeter than sugar. Leaves can be eaten from the plant like candy or tossed into fruit salads for an unusual addition. It is used since at least the time of the Aztecs for coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, and colic. Traditional Mexican folk use of leaves as an expectorant and as a stimulant. Plant is excellent in hanging baskets.

Mat-like perennial ground cover. Sturdy enough to be used as a lawn substitute, can be walked on, and mowed if needed. Dormant in winter.

The fresh leaves are used as a tea substitute.

The plant is anodyne, antibacterial, deobstruent, diuretic, emmenagogue, parasiticide and refrigerant. It is used in the treatment of hookworm. The juice of the plant is cooling and is used to relieve fevers, coughs and colds. The aroma of the inhaled plant is breathed in to treat coughs and colds. The juice of the root is used in the treatment of gastric troubles.

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position. Prefers a moderately fertile soil, but succeeds in soils of low fertility.

Propagation: Division or seeds in spring, cuttings in late summer.

Lippia queretarensis - syn.L. nodiflora var. normalis f. sericea