I am considering planting several of these at my house to create a privacy fence between my house and the neighbors. However, before I do anything I want to get some advice and comments from my DG friends to make sure I don't make a mistake or get into something I might regret. I think these are beautiful and from what I understand they would get tall and bushy enough to create the effect I am going for. I would be interested in hearing how Vitex does in the winter here. Is it a tree that is going to lose its foliage in the winter and be bare? Also, there is quite a few different spacing requirements listed under Plantfiles, http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/1188/index.html How far apart should these be planted if I am wanting to put them in a line formation along a fence?
If anyone has any pics to share, I would love to see them. Any other comments or concerns that I should have?
Vitex Tree/Shrub
They are deciduous for me down here in the winter. They do grow fast down here but not thick enough for total privacy if that's what you are wanting. I can't get that link to open to see their spacing requirements--I have 2 planted about 4-5' apart. They are totally carefree and healthy plants and pretty in bloom. I'll get out there and take a pic for you later if no one does. It'll just be kinda boring--they are in between blooming cycles right now for me.
Debbie
deciduous! That was the word I was looking for. I can't tell you how long I tried to recall that word from my brain this morning. Thanks Debbie, you are too kind to offer to take a pic for me. Thanks for your info.
OK--got the link to work after re-starting daughter's computer. Teenagers can do some strange things to computers sometimes...I think the closer you plant them the thicker they will be if that's the effect you want. These are 2 years old from seed--they are in the worst dirt I have and never get fertilized, etc. I originally planted them to hide my compost heap/oppossum condominium to the right. Six foot privacy fence behind. I have several good sized babies underneath if you are going to fall Nov RU. Like I said--rather boring shot; the cucumbers look better right now, lol. They are in full sun, crappy dirt, and never fertilized--I just 'deadhead' them after every bloom cycle. I think they are more like 3-4' apart.
I always enjoy looking at your landscape. Everything you have is gorgeous. Even though it doesn't have blooms, it still looks pretty. You sure do grow a mean cucumber vine don't you, that thing is huge. Put mine to shame! Although I am going to have one of my own with my lunch today. Yum. Anyways, back to vitex. Thanks for taking that pic for me. I think since it is deciduous, I might have to consider putting it somewhere else. I have to have at least one of these, especially since it is so tolerant of our conditions and low maintenance. I am just thinking that it might not be the best choice for what I am looking for. Everyone and I do mean everyone uses Red Tip Photinia for privacy screens. While they are pretty and I do like them, I just want to do something different. My mom uses oleander and it is pretty, but boy does it get huge.
I think I will still plant a few vitex, just in a different spot. Debbie, I will take you up on your offer of a baby if I get to make it to the RU. I keep meaning to look into the drive and see if I am going to go and come back or if it is something where I would want to stay there. I always hate to commit to something and then cancel, so I want to be sure I can do it before I confirm that I will make it.
I will save one for you Merae--I think I'm getting a room in Navasota and doing some of the Antique Rose Emporium stuff too--they have their annual fall festival Fri, Sat, and Sunday that weekend. They have really good speakers--Bill Welch is always there and Madeline Hill (Texas herb growing diva).
Have you considered a holly of some sort for the birds in the fall? By the way those cukes get complete afternoon shade or they would not look so good--they are 'Diva'.
there is an evergreen vitex called trifolia purpurea sometimes called arabian lilac
I have the lavender and white vitex trees in my back yard and I absolutely love them.. They definitely are fast growers and tho they don't create ALOT of shade...its just enough to keep things cooler growing underneath them in a sunny yard. Just keep deadheading the blooms as soon as the blossoms turn to seeds. Great aroma too.. :) I'm thinking about getting another near my Desert Willow...
If you are talking about the Texas native, Vitex agnus-castus, just remember that they grow into trees unless pruned back each year. They can grow up to 15 feet tall and wide or more I have seen some old specimens here in San Antonio that are huge. Several friends had planted them not realizing how large they become and then replaced them because they did not fit in the areas in which they had been planted.
http://www.plantanswers.com/vitex.htm
http://texassuperstar.com/plants.html
butterflybyrob, I have seen the Arabian lilac for salee at my favorite nursery. It is a beautiful plant. I was afraid to buy it because I thought that it might freeze in zone 8b. The foliage is such a great color.
This message was edited Jul 8, 2006 6:35 AM
I know what ya mean...htop. I'm actually trying to get them as large as they want to be...lol Being in a new subdivision...everyone sort of gets a backyard which equals an empy canvas.....No trees...no shrubs...just pallets of bermuda grass...So these vitex have settled in quite nicely with LOTS of room to grow...and low water use as well... :)