Vitex is a multi-stemmed large shrub, but can be trained into a small tree. Leaves are palmately compound and dark green. Flowers appear in early summer and continue to bloom sporadically through summer and fall. Flowers of Vitex can be blue, lavender, pink or white. Old strains had small spikes of flowers; improved varieties have large spikes (8” to 12” long) of colorful flowers that are fragrant and make excellent cut flowers. Vitex is not too picky of soils and is easy to grow, very heat, drought and pest tolerant and an excellent choice for a xeric garden. Vitex is often considered an excellent replacement for lilacs, which grow much better in colder climates, and it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Exposure: Sun to part shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4-9