USDA. Vitex grows to be 12 to 15 feet tall and wide, sometimes slightly larger in warmer South Texas. Vitex agnus-castus has many common names, including chaste tree, Texas lilac, lavender tree — even hemp tree for … Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is one of only a handful of winter-hardy trees that blooms with true-blue flower spikes all summer long. Graceful lilac flowers bloom all summer long and attract bees and butterflies. plants/invasive plants published by the Texas Department of Agriculture or by the They are a great shrub/small tree for Florida as well. Note: A concern has been raised about the “invasive” nature of vitex. Hardy in zones 6-9, V. agnus-castus is sometimes referred to as “lilac of the South” because its beautiful, 5- to 12-inch purple, lavender, off-white, or light pink flower spikes resemble those of lilac. The Vitex Chaste tree sits pretty in almost any landscape feature. Shade: The Right Plant for the Right Spot. Vitex is not on the official list of noxious Produces clusters of fragrant, lilac-blue blooms and aromatic gray-green, compound foliage, creating a perfumed outdoor space. Beautiful lilac purple blooms that are extremely fragrant, adorn the Vitex ‘Shoal Creek’ tree shown below from May to September. It will grow well in all areas of Texas, in both acid and alkaline soils. 1: Hello, look at those spectacular purple blooms (here on the cultivar "Shoal Creek"). General information: A favorite in Texas gardens, the Texas Lilac Vitex grows quickly and offers easy maintenance. Vitex is coarse growing and will become a small tree quickly; flowering is more spectacular if the plant is pruned heavily after bloom. The older selections of Vitex had small spikes of flowers which were pale lilac, mauve, off-white or light pink. It prospers in hot and dry environments. Grown in backyard nursery of Crape Myrtle Guy in quart containers about a foot tall. | Web Development by, Bedding, Potted Plants and Plants for Interior Foliage, It Pays To Replace Your Lawn with Native Plants, Sun vs. Reason No. Gunter, TX 75058 (972) 372-4737 sales@treelandnursery.com May 21, 2020 - Shoal Creek Vitex is often planted around porches, patios, and decks for its beautiful summer flowers and its ability to attract butterflies. Photo: Vitex is also called chaste tree and Texas lilac (although it’s not fragrant and is unrelated to true lilacs). Having said this, there is a concern about its weedy nature in Vitex (chaste tree, Vitex agnus-castus) blooms from late spring until early fall with long, upright spikes of pink, lilac and white flowers.Any shrub or tree that blooms all summer is well worth planting, but when it also has pleasantly fragrant flowers and foliage, it becomes a must-have plant. Loads of salvia-like flower spikes in late spring often repeat in late summer. Butterflies and hummingbirds use vitex as a nectar source. The bloom spikes on these improved selections are not only large and beautiful; they also are fragrant and provide long-lasting cut flowers. Because of the growing conditions in much of Texas, many perennials are best used as annuals, and many shrubs or small trees are best used as perennials. Vitex, botanical name Vitex agnus-castus, also known as the Chaste Tree, offers a gorgeous display of handsome gray-green foliage and terminal clusters of fragrant lilac blooms. creek beds throughout Central Texas.” We would caution persons in these favorable environments about potential weediness. The Texas Department of Transportation recognizes its toughness, and plants Vitex in highway medians. Vitex is a small flowering tree that is, in my opinion, one of the best ornamental trees you can own. Vitex presents vibrant lilac-colored blossoms every summer against a backdrop of gray-green foliage, making it a desirable substitute for the mild-climate loving lilac (Syringa vulgaris). Prune right after the first flowering and again in late August after the last flush has faded. Texas lilac vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) earns gold stars for its summer tolerance and fragrant, butterfly-attracting, 8- to 12-inch purple flower spikes. where vitex has been noted to behave in a weedy manner as described above or you observe a large proliferation of seedlings around ornamental plantings, we recommend Clusters of fragrant lilac blooms (of 8 to 12 inches in length) begin their show in the early summer and last well into the fall. All of these selections will be marketed under the name of Texas Lilac Vitex. If you garden in zone 6 or warmer and your garden doesn't include Vitex agnus-castus—commonly known as chaste tree, or Texas lilac, or just vitex—I'm here to make the case for adding one to your shopping list this season. Not only do these seeds prevent a profusion of additional bloom spikes, they may, in some regions of the state, produce a seedling population that will not have the same characteristics as the original plant and become a nuisance. The Texas Lilac Vitex Tree blooms in late May and into June. Other nicknames include sage tree, and Indian spice vitex. When I was a kid in College Station, vitex shrubs filled corners of backyards. It’s a subtropical shrub or small tree that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 or warmer. The enticing smell of the flowers will fill up the yard and attract an array of wildlife from butterflies to bumblebees to birds. Vitex is heat, drought and pest tolerant. Blue cape plumbago and vitex, or Texas lilac, have recently been added to the growing list of plants recommended by the executive board of the Texas A&M Superstar program. Feb 22, 2016 - If you garden in zone 6 or warmer and your garden doesn't include Vitex agnus-castus—commonly known as chaste tree, or Texas lilac, or just vitex—I'm here to ma… Their are a few flowers on it, but no fragrance to it, I was just curious, if eventually it will have a fragrance. However, if you are in an area In addition to its beautiful flower spikes, this little tree can take the heat, endure the drought and is … The Texas Lilac Vitex, a Texas superstar plant, is not a bad choice for many Texas homes. Plants that flower in the purple color range attract butterflies to … This versatile plant can be trained as a large shrub or small multi-trunked tree about 10 to 15 feet tall and wide. City lots were much bigger then, and it wasn’t uncommon for the plants to … ‘Texas Lilac’ is our group designation for several recommended Height — 10–15 feet tall; width — up to 15 feet wide, Care: Size: The deciduous tree will grow to about 25 ft. in full sun. Esperanza-and now Texas Lilac Vitex- should be cut to the ground every winter to keep the plant manageable from season-to-season. Treeland Nursery 1208 Sharp Rd. Shop Monrovia 3.58-Gallon Purple Chaste Tree Flowering Shrub in Pot in the Shrubs department at Lowe's.com. A second reason for the double-take is the resemblance to marijuana (Cannibis sativa), which thrives in USDA zones 7 to 11. I just bought a Texas Lilac Vitex bush. Has a naturally broad and This has been the case with the three very successful Texas Superstars™: firebush, esperanza and perennial hibiscus. Blue–Blooming Vitex and Plumbago: Butterflies Love 'Em, Deer Don't It is a native of China and India, although long ago it became naturalized throughout certain areas of the United States. When Hurricane Ike snapped the huge red oak branch, it dropped, crushing our vitex. By David Rodriguez, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent foe Bexar County. That is something you want to look further into before going very far with wholesale cuttings. Horticulturists now have identified and tested improved selections such as “Montrose Purple,” “LeCompte,” and “Shoal Creek” which have spikes as long as 8 to 12 inches. cultivars including ‘Montrose Purple,’ ‘LeCompte,’ and ‘Shoal Creek,’ all of which are considered Texas Superstars®. A native of Asia, it arrived in North America as early as 1670, and easily adapted to life in the South. Records indicate that Vitex has been cultivated in the Americas since 1670. Texas Lilac Vitex goes be several other names: Mexican lavender, lilac chaste tree, hemp tree, sage tree, monk’s pepper, Indian spice or Vitex. that you avoid the use of vitex in your landscape. Bloom all summer long and will mature 10-15 feet. Profuse spikes of lavender flowers, blooming heavily in the early summer, and then All of these selections will be marketed under the name of Texas Lilac Vitex. According to the tag on the Texas Lilac Vitex I bought at Home Depot, it is not supposed to be “asexually reproduced”, at least not for sale. The Vitex aka Chaste Tree is a crowd favorite for North Texas, and it has one of the longest blooming seasons for flowering trees in Texas. Cut off about 2/3 of the plant’s height or to just above the bottom two sets of leaves on each stem. In places such as Texas, it is a substitute for lilac bushes, which don’t often tolerate warm Texas summers, according to Texas A&M University Extension. You will be hard-pressed to find a more spectacularly beautiful plant with more outstanding qualities. Purple Vitex trees, also called chaste tree and Texas Lilac Tree. When it blooms, does it smell like french Lilac? For those of you who want a medicinal plant for a SuperStar, Vitex fills the bill. Although thought to be a native of China, India and Southern Europe, it has been cultivated in North America for over 300 years. However, the Texas Lilac Vitex* can become the "buddleia" of Texas if handled properly. Vitex (I refuse to call it Texas lilac) have a wonderful fragrance too, sort of like grape Kool-aid! Vitex agnus-castus ‘Shoal Creek’ A long-lived large shrub or small tree with an umbrella-like canopy. On the texasinvasives.org website, it is listed as “Found in limestone outcrops and dry ‘Texas Lilac’ is our group designation for several recommended cultivars including ‘Montrose Purple,’ ‘LeCompte,’ and ‘Shoal Creek,’ all … Horticulturists from Texas A&M’s Superstar™ program developed the Texas Lilac Vitex to mimic the lilacs that grow up north but thrive in our southern climates. As summer approaches, so does a bounty of blue and purple-flowering summer perennials and annuals, such as salvia, scabiosa and scaevola. Milberger Nursery @2015 All rights reserved. Shoal Creek vitex is more vigorous and produces larger flowers and deeper color than common vitex. This beautiful garden tree shows large terminal clusters of fragrant lilac-colored blooms, backed by aromatic gray-green foliage. The opinion of the Texas Vitex is heat, drought and pest tolerant. It flourishes in heat and most any soil condition. Super fast grower: 3-5 feet a year. Thrives in well-drained soils and areas that receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day Its long, curvy, purple-blue flower spikes have earned the vitex the nickname of “The Texas Lilac”. The vitex plant is also known as chastetree or Texas lilac. Chaste Trees, scientifically known as Vitex, and also commonly known as Lilac Chaste Tree, Hemp Tree, Sage Tree, or Indian Spice, are exceptionally easy to grow as a large shrub or "limbed up' to form a spectacular small tree. The vitex tree is having its moment. certain areas. Vitex chaste tree accent shrub can be used as a large shrub or small tree to decorate your landscape or garden. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They need sun and a good amount of space as they can get quite large. A good local nursery should have them. Birds, butterflies and bees love them both, and hummingbirds are attracted to vitex. The Vitex Tree is heat, drought and pest tolerant. Vitex is also called Texas lilac or chaste tree. The attractive lavender blooms are produced on stalks that emerge all over the sprawling crown of this especially drought tolerant tree. Easy to grow, requiring little maintenance. 'Texas Lilac' vitex Courtesy PlantAnswers. The bloom spikes on these improved selections are not only large and beautiful; they also are fragrant and provide long-lasting cut flowers. Superstar® Board is that vitex can be safely used as an ornamental in all parts of the state that do not fit this description. The blooms were small and, for the most part, unattractive. For further information: sporadically throughout the summer and fall. ‘Texas Lilac’ is a designation for several recommended cultivars including ‘Montrose Purple,’ ‘LeCompte,’ and ‘Shoal Creek,’ all of which are considered Texas Superstars TM. This tree was developed by Texas A&M. Also called Texas Lilac or Purple Chaste Tree. Vitex photo gallery, Blue–Blooming Vitex and Plumbago: Butterflies Love 'Em, Deer Don't. If you are looking for a tough, yet gorgeous, shrub or small tree that attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds then at Texas Vitex will suit your landscape. Texas Lilac Vitex goes be several other names: Mexican lavender, lilac chaste tree, hemp tree, sage tree, monk’s pepper, Indian spice or Vitex. They practically cover this large shrub/small tree. Photo: Texas A&M, Texas Superstar. Shoal Creek Vitex. Because of its abundant spires of blue to purple flowers, Vitex was used as a replacement for the well-loved lilac as people moved to the South. It is a spectacular butterfly-attracting plant and is deer resistant in that deer will not eat it, although they can damage it with their antlers if it is allowed to grow very large. Horticulturists from Texas A&M’s Superstar™ program developed the Texas Lilac Vitex to mimic the lilacs that grow up north but thrive in our southern climates. 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