The Vitex Tree, also known by its common names Chaste Tree or Sage Tree. is a great Specimen plant for Gainesville landscaping. For years, it has been the shrub of choice to mimic lilacs, which are restricted to cooler regions of the country.
Vitex is an excellent choice for a large shrub or small flowering tree in the gainesville landscape. It does best in full sun and will grow in a variety of soils, provided they are well drained. After it has been established, the Vitex is also a good candidate for planting in a Gainesville xeriscape, where hot, dry surroundings prevail and clients like to use Gainesville irrigation sparingly.
Another benefit of the Vitex is that it is a Butterfly attractant. The older strains had small spikes of flowers in pale lilac, mauve, off-white or light pink, but modern, much improved varieties such as 'Montrose Purple', 'LeCompte', or the pink 'Salinas Pink' have spikes as long as 8 to 12 inches in length. Many aromatic black or brown seeds may be set, but if the spent spikes are cut off promptly after the first flowering the shrub will bloom again.
The blossoms of Vitex emerge in Gainesville lawn from May to September, and the aromatic leaves are palmate, with five to seven leaflets. All dead wood and lower limbs may be removed from the shrubs in wintertime.
Vitex is hardy in zones 6-9, which makes it great in the Gainesville landscape climate. Call our office at 352-378-5296 or email us at info@themasterslawncare.com if you'd like to see this plant in your Gainesville lawn.