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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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  • French Name: viex

    Pronunciation: VYE-tecks try-FOLE-lee-uh

  • Plant type: Shrub

  • Origin: southeastern Asia and Australia

  • Heat Zones: 5 to 16

    Hardiness Zones: 9 to 13

  • Uses: Screen, Hedge, Specimen, Mass Planting, Container, Wildlife

  • Size/Shape

    Growth Rate: Fast

    Tree Shape: Round

    Canopy Symmetry: Symmetrical

    Canopy Density: Dense

    Canopy Texture: Fine

    Height at Maturity: 3 to 5 m

    Spread at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 meters

    Time to Ultimate Height: 5 to 10 Years

  • Notes

    Oils from the leaves of V. trifolia show considerable mosquito repellent activity.

  • 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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  • Foliage

    Leaf Arrangement : Opposite

    Leaf Venation: Pinnate

    Leaf Persistance: Evergreen

    Leaf Type: Palmately Compound

    Leaf Blade: Less than 5

    Leaf Margins: Entire

    Leaf Texture: Smooth

    Leaf Scent: Pleasant (Spicy)

    Color(growing season): Green, Red, Variegated

    Color(changing season): Green

  • Flower

    Flower Showiness: Yes

    Flower Size Range: 1.5 - 3

    Flower Type: Raceme

    Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)

    Flower Scent: Pleasant

    Flower Color: Purple, Blue

    Seasons: Spring, Summer

  • Trunk

    Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Suspected to breakage

    Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked

    Trunk esthetic Values: Smooth

  • Fruit

    Fruit Showiness: No

    Fruit Size Range: 0 - 1.5

    Seasons: Spring, Summer

  • 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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  • Tolerance

    Frost Tolerant: No

    Heat Tolerance: No

    Drought Tolerance: Yes

    Salt Tolerance: Moderate

  • Requirements

    Soil Requirements: Clay, Loam, Sand

    Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

    Water Requirements: Moderate, Low

    Light Requirements: Full

  • Management

    Toxicity: No

    Invasive Potential: No

    Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: No

    Pruning Requirements: Needed, to develop a strong structure

    Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No

    Surface Rooting: No

    Life Span: Less than 25

    Pests: Mites

    Plant Propagation: Cutting

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