Sweet and Sour Smell of Success
It’s not necessary to grow a lemon tree to get a fresh lemon flavor or fragrance.
“The narrow, pointy leaves of the herb lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) have a distinct lemon scent and flavor that’s as good as a lemon,” says Norm Yoder, co-owner of Friday House Gardens in Orange, which is located at the rear of Country Roads Antiques in the Orange Plaza.
Lemon verbena is a popular herb, agrees Vincent Hakes, owner of Huntington Garden Center in Huntington Beach. “The plant makes a nice 3- to 6-foot shrub that releases a wonderful lemon scent when you brush up against it. It’s also popular for medicinal purposes,” he says. “Many people tell me that they use it to make a tea that soothes stomach ailments.”
Lemon verbena is used in many commercial teas. It’s the main ingredient in Vervein tea, which is popular in France. It can also be used to flavor fruit desserts and ice cream, and can be added to poultry and chicken dishes. It makes a fragrant addition to potpourri.
A South American native, lemon verbena is a versatile, undemanding plant that does well in our climate in full sun or bright, filtered locations. It can be successfully grown in containers and the ground.
Now is a good time to plant one.
To have luck growing lemon verbena, keep these tips in mind:
* Understand its growth cycle. Lemon verbena is a warm-weather deciduous plant that will lose its leaves and look near death in the cool months. It will come back to life when the weather warms each spring.
* Plant in full sun or bright filtered light in the ground or in a container. Replant at the same level as you find the plant in its nursery pot and give it some room, Yoder says. “In the ground, lemon verbena will grow 3- to 6-feet tall if you don’t prune it back. It also spreads about 3 feet.”
* Provide good drainage. In addition, lemon verbena likes our alkaline soil. If you have heavy clay, amend by 30% to 50% with an organic amendment that contains humic acid, Hakes says.
* Containers. Lemon verbena makes a great herb for a pot. Use high quality, well-draining potting soil that is heavy on perlite or pumice.
* Watering. Newly planted lemon verbena requires regular watering, but once established the plant can be drought tolerant. Hakes has found, however, that regular watering when the soil dries tends to create a lusher plant.
* Fertilize. Although lemon verbena could go without fertilizing, experts suggest feeding once or twice a year with an organic all-purpose food. This will keep the plant growing plenty of healthy new foliage.
* Prune. Keep lemon verbena from becoming leggy and encourage the plant to produce new leaves by trimming regularly. It is also advisable to prune off flowers as they form, which will also increase leaf production.
Lemon verbena tends to be open, rangy plants, but you can train them to be more compact by annually pruning the entire plant back after it loses its leaves in October or November.
* Friday House Gardens, (714) 953-1421.
* Huntington Garden Center, (714) 963-6522.
