Bee brush blooms are heaven scent

I had an unexpected garden guest the other day — a jogger.

Our paths had never really crossed. I would be inside when she jogged by or when I was out working in the garden, she was nowhere around. Today, we finally met. It was an instant connection. 

She had moved to Burnet 23 years ago from Houston, like so many. A single working mother, her leisure hours were few. She longed for involvement in the community but found that virtually every volunteer opportunity, nature-education program or exercise activity that interested her were scheduled only in the day.  

As a result, gardening had become a big part of her life and perfectly fit her schedule.

Not surprising, our morning encounter led to an enlightening plant conversation.  We compared plants in our gardens and shared ideas, followed by a walk into my native garden. With many different plants blooming thanks to the recent rains, I was excited to share my earthly treasures with her, although I was far more curious about which plants would be her favorites. 

I listened attentively as my guest raved about the vitality and beauty of each plant in my garden. I was speechless on purpose. I didn’t want to interrupt her. Slowly, we made our way from the front yard to the back. 

When all was said and done, I waited to hear what plants had most piqued her interest. I was surprised by her favorite. She had been enchanted by bee brush.  Bee brush?

To some, this plant is downright obnoxious. To others, like me, this fast-growing, multi-branched shrub with tan/grey bark is an interesting addition to any garden space, but you won’t find it listed in most plant books. 

Native to South and West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico, the bee brush is an intriguing specimen growing 6-12 feet high. Usually airy with medium green, narrow leaves and brittle, whitish, willowy branches, this slender deciduous perennial is a honey plant as the name suggests. It is a sun worshipper but can handle partial shade and thrives in moist, rocky soils.

What makes this native plant worthy of a spot in a garden is the heavenly scent of its small showy flowers. Following every rain shower from March to November, long spikes of small, tubular, white flowers clustered on the tips of the willowy branches appear, emitting a very pleasant vanilla-like fragrance. Unlike some aromatic plants or flowers that are overpowering, the blooms of the bee brush smell sweet.   

It is a member of the verbena family, is cold- and drought-tolerant and is sometimes referred to as white brush. It works well as a background screen shrub or can be trimmed into a hedge or small tree and is deer-resistant. Pruning promotes flowering and more compact growth and the plant is readily propagated through seeds, cuttings and seedlings.

Besides its natural beauty, bee brush has excellent wildlife value. The shrub attracts native bees, provides nectar for hummingbirds and insects including butterflies, and offers birds nesting sites and some fruit; nutlets which are particularly attractive to finches. Butterflies also use the shrub as an overnight refuge and as shelter on windy or stormy days. 

With a long blooming cycle and easy maintenance, the bee brush is a good gardening pick. My garden guest walked away happy with several seedlings. I went inside glowing. 

Delgado is a Texas Master Naturalist. She and Scott are members of the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Society and the National Audubon Society. E-mail them at viva.dana@yahoo.com.