Common Name: American Beauty Berry Botanical name: Callicara ...

Common Name: Vitex Shoal
Botanical Name: Vitex agnus-castus 'Shoal Creek'
Plant Type: Shrub
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Water Requirement: Low
Heat/Drought Tolerance: High
Height: 15 feet
Width/Spacing: 15 feet wide
Flower Color: Lavender blue
Blooming Period:
Plant Form or Habit: Shrub
Foliage Color and Texture: Deciduous
Butterfly or bird attracter: Butterflies
& hummingbirds
Deer Resistant: Yes
Plant Use: Specimen shrub
The old Vitex had small spikes of
flowers that were pale lilac, mauve,
off-white or light pink. The blooms
were small and unimpressive. Horticulturists now have identified and tested improved varieties such as
'Montrose Purple', 'LeCompte' and 'Shoal Creek' which have 8- to 12-inch long spikes. These varieties
will all be marketed under the name, 'Texas Lilac' Vitex. This cultivar of Vitex was selected for it vigorous
growth habit, large flower spikes and it produces the best blue-purple flowers. Vitex are large
multistemmed shrubs that that maintain fairly dense, symmetrical and rounded canopies. Vitex also have
some spring interest because the new branch growth has a showy purple color that turns red-brown and
lastly a pale gray color as the branch matures. Vitex have medium to fine textured leaves that are 3 to 4
inches long with 5 to 7 leaves per stem. Vitex have a gray-green leaf with a lighter silver-gray color
underside and in the fall the leaves develop a purple tint. In early summer Vitex begin producing silvery
gray buds on the tips of each stem that open to a beautiful display of lavender blue flowers that are
extremely fragrant. Each cluster of flowers that the Vitex produces has dense rings of lavender blue
flowers and each cluster can range from 8 to 12 inches long. Vitex continue this process over several
weeks until the clusters completely blanket the entire canopy which are relished by butterflies and
hummingbirds. The Vitex can tolerate most soil conditions, provided they are well drained, and will
flourish in full sun. The Vitex is designated as a Texas Superstar Shrub by Texas A&M University.
Common Names: Vitex, Chaste Tree, Texas Lilac, Lilac Chaste Tree.
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root
system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new
growth begins in spring.
Source of data: http://www.tree-land.com/trees_vitex_shoal_creek.asp
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The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
A member of The Texas A&M University System and its statewide Agriculture Program.