Position – Full sun
Soil – Well-drained
Flowering Period –Autumn
Hardiness – Fully Hardy
Vitex are deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs that display palmate grey-green foliage and terminal clusters of tubular flowers, with some varieties releasing a rich fragrance and fleshy berries – these berries can often contain seed that can be used as seasoning in cooking, much like black pepper. Vitex are best suited to flower beds and borders within courtyard, cottage and informal garden settings. You should expect to see Vitex grow to an approximate height and spread of 3m (10’). Vitex are native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia. Please take care when handling Vitex, as they can cause irritation to the skin.
Vitex are best planted in well-drained soil of sand, chalk and loam within an acidic, alkaline or neutral PH balance. Make sure that you choose a suitable site that will accommodate the ultimate height and spread of your shrub and trees. Amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter, whilst mixing this thoroughly to the native soil. Water meticulously and deeply to settle the soil in place.
During the spring, remove spent flowers before they have the chance to go to seed. During winter, you may wish to remove dead, damaged or old wood. Pruning will encourage a bushier growth habit. An annual layer of mulch should be applied to help retain moisture levels and suppress weeds. During early summer, you may wish to apply a balanced liquid fertiliser to encourage healthy growth. Vitex prefer average moisture levels and will need to be watered frequently throughout active growth.
It is possible to propagate Vitex by seed sown in autumn or spring or by semi-ripe cuttings during the summer.
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