Plant Profile

Vitex trifolia (Variegated Vitex,Trifoliate Chastetree)

This fast growing large upright shrub large shrub or small tree is popular for its variegated foliage and pretty blue flowers . The aromatic trifoliate leaves of the cultivar 'Purpurea' emerge purple and mature to grayish green with fuzzy pale lavender undersides Crushed foliage releases a peppery scent. The tiny flowers are lavender-purple produced most abundantly in midsummer, but sporadically whenever temperatures are warm . The fragrant blooms attract butterflies and are an excellent nectar source for honeybees. Small black berries are usually produced in abundance. It needs full sun for best form and heaviest flowering. Moist well-drained soil is ideal, but this species tolerates moderate drought and sandy soils. It also withstands salt spray. This plant creates a nice, dense shrub if it is properly pruned. The plant creates a wonderful hedge, screen, and border. It is commonly planted in mass but also makes a great specimen plant. Rapidly growing out of bounds. Vitex is high maintenance in terms of pruning and should be fertilized twice a year.

  • Landscape Information
  • Botanical Description
  • Horticulture Management
  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Vinayaraj (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Vinayaraj (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Vinayaraj (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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