This fragrant shrub or small tree is Sweet Almond Verbena, Aloysia virgata.

Its flowers are tiny and white, arranged along long, slender spikes. Although the individual blossoms are easy to overlook, together they release a powerful sweet fragrance often compared to almonds, vanilla, or honey.

That scent attracts large numbers of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. A flowering plant may seem to hum with activity.

The leaves are narrow, slightly rough, and arranged along arching branches. With regular pruning, the plant can be kept as a dense shrub, but if left alone it may grow into a loosely branched small tree.

Sweet Almond Verbena is native to South America and grows well in warm, sunny climates. It can flower repeatedly through much of the year, especially after rain or pruning.

It belongs to the verbena family, but unlike many ornamental verbenas, its greatest appeal is not the color of its flowers. It is the fragrance—and the remarkable number of pollinators that fragrance brings into the Garden.