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Horseshoe Vitex Vitex negundo

Phonetic Spelling
VY-teks neg-UN-doh
Description

Chastetree is a non-native shrub or small tree that does best in hot weather in full sun. It blooms on new wood, so may be pruned to the ground in early spring like a perennial to invigorate growth. It is loosely branched in an open vase shape with interesting foliage. Preference is for full sun and loose, moist, well-drained soil. Flowers appear on 5-8 inch panicles in mid to late summer. Deadhead to encourage more blooms.

It is native habitat, it can be found growing in wastelands of the Himalayas and mixed thickets on mountain slopes with elevations from 600 to 6500 feet.

Growing to heights of up to 15', it can grow taller in areas where warm winters are experienced.

The young stems are utilized in making baskets and when weaved with other materials can be used from construction.

Grows in zones 6 through 9, however, it is not winter hardy in zone 6.  It may suffer from dieback or may die to the ground in harsher winters. Planting in a sheltered location is important in this zone where it can be grown as a 3-5' perennial.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf spot and root rot occasionally affect stressed plants.  It may suffer from frost damage during cold winters.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Heterophylla'
'Heterophylla'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#gray leaves#deciduous shrub#nectar plant#fantz#butterfly friendly#shrub borders#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Heterophylla'
'Heterophylla'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#gray leaves#deciduous shrub#nectar plant#fantz#butterfly friendly#shrub borders#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Vitex
    Species:
    negundo
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Various medicinal uses of various parts of the plant. It has antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia, Africa
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Edibility:
    The seeds can be used as a condiment as a pepper substitute. As a last resort, they can also be ground into a powder and used similar to flour. Tea is made from the roots and leaves.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Open
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Description:
    The succulent, rounded to egg-shaped fruit will be black or purple when ripe.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant, small blue-purple, lilac, or lavender flowers in loose clusters on 5-8 in. panicles in summer on new growth. The petals on each flower are of different lengths, the middle lobe is the longest. The corolla and calyx are covered with hairs.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are grayish-green with 3-7 leaflets per stem, with the middle leaf being larger than the other two. Leaflets are up to 4 inches in length. The underside is densely covered with matted wooly hairs.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Bark Description:
    Reddish-brown bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Vertical Spaces
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies