A new vitex to try: Arabian lilac
Arabian lilac, or purple vitex (Vitex trifolia atropurpurea)
Did anyone think I’d be ready to try another vitex so soon after removing the last one? Neither did I.
And then I saw this beauty at Barton Springs Nursery. With leaves that are green on top and purple beneath, a smaller mature size (around 4 to 5 feet), and the promise of purple flower spires, I just couldn’t resist. Vitex trifolia atropurpurea blooms in late summer and early fall rather than late spring, like my old Vitex agnus-castus. It seems to be less cold hardy than its cousin, only to 20 degrees, which most years won’t be a problem, though it’s not out of the question.
So I’m pushing my luck, but that’s half the fun. I’m going to plant it in the sunny front garden, between the Texas mountain laurel and the ‘Carefree Beauty’ rose, where a Lindheimer muhly grass has straggled along for the last couple of years. If it gets too big or thickety, I’ll hack it to the ground every winter. If it freezes, I’ll replace it with something else. Let the experiment begin!
By the way, an employee at Barton Springs Nursery told me that they no longer sell the common vitex—Vitex agnus-castus, also called chaste lilac—because it’s so invasive here. Apparently it spreads quickly into greenbelts through berry dispersal by birds. I admire BSN for doing their part to help control invasive species. And with this attractive alternative, who could complain?
Those beautiful, two-toned leaves
Wow, This vitex is a beauty. No wonder you couldn’t resist. I couldn’t grow it here. 🙁
No, but you can grow true lilacs, right? 🙂 —Pam
Your new vitex looks promising. We have had no invasiveness of the common vitex here in Tennesse as far as I know. In fact we would like to propagate more, they are so lovely. We are zone 7, so they are probably at their northern limit, hence the lack of spreading. The smaller size and purple underside of the leaf make this a plant to keep an eye out for. Thanks,again.
It’s funny about the invasiveness issue, because I never had a problem in my own garden with seedlings either. But I do see it growing wild on greenbelts, so it must be escaping from cultivation. Anyway, I hope the smaller, purple one I just planted will not be considered invasive too in a couple of years.
By the way, welcome to the blogosphere, Frances. Your garden is beautiful, and I look forward to reading more about it at Faire Garden. —Pam
Thanks for the umpteenth time. Let’s see if anyone comes.
Oh, they will. And the more blogs you comment on, the more comments you’ll get in return. Have fun! —Pam
I wondered why they didn’t have the chaste lilac when I was there a few weeks ago. And I love the two-toned leaves on your new one. I may have to be inspired by you and get one myself!
We can trial it together. By the way, BSN also carries at least one other type of vitex, a beach vitex. There may be another too, but I can’t remember. —Pam
I’m glad you got another vitex, your other one was so pretty. Hopefully this one will work out better for you.
I hope so too. But if not, I’ve found that it’s not that hard to get rid of something that’s not working, even a tree. —Pam
I’ve tried true lilacs but with no success. I am a New Englander originally but have been in Texas Gulf Coast since 1943. I got 2 of these Arabian Lilac plants and they made it thru Hurricane Ike pretty well. They are now very ‘spindly’. One has no leaves except for a couple of small branches just above ground. The whole plant is about 5-6 feet tall. How much should I prune it? The other plant is a good deal bigger and has new leaves on branches all the way to the top. How much pruning should this one get? I couldn’t find any info anyplace else.
Ann, I kept my Arabian lilac (in my former garden) pruned to a four foot height because I’d shoehorned it into a tight spot. It always took the pruning well. Aside from that, I don’t have any experience with them. You might experiment with one of yours to see how it does: prune it back by half now that warm weather is here to see if it will rejuvenate the tired branches. And try an application of compost or organic fertilizer around the base of the shrub. Good luck! —Pam