Vitex Identification purchashed 3 and 1 is different

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I purchased my 15 gallon "Shoal Creek Vitex" from one nursery and the leaves are much smaller than the other two smaller sized purchased from a different nursery. I wasn't sure if there are different versions of the Shoal Creek, or if they are two different types of Vitex. They aren't moving now, but would like to know what I have.

Also, I mulched with pine straw and just read you aren't supposed to use organic mulches, since they need to dry out. Is this alright for the first year during establishment, is it completely untrue, or should I remove the mulch and replace with something else?

Thanks!

Joe

Large tree form with smaller leaves.

Smaller shrub form with much larger leaves. One pic from each (have two smaller on each side of the large one.

Featured Answer

lisanti07028

11 years ago

I can't answer you about the size, but I have always mulched my vitex; I had not heard about the prohibition before, and it sounds like hooey.

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Comments (6)

Embothrium
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
They won't be ready for getting by on natural rainfall until after at least the first fall after planting. Mulch shades the soil and makes it easier to keep the root balls moist until the plants root out well. At this time of the year there will be minimal root growth until after the tops stop growing in fall. The basic common schedule for hardy woody plants in general is

Spring: new roots are made but do not grow very far

Summer: minimal root growth

Fall: existing roots extend considerably (60% of annual total)

Winter: little, if any root growth

The reason for the concentration of root elongation in fall after the tops have stopped growing (this physiological fall can be as early as July, where conditions do not support active top growth later into the season) is that the rest of the time the plant's energy budget is either directed toward foliage production, flowering or fruiting - or the plant is hibernating.
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Marie Tulin Boston burbs z 6a
11 years ago
Embothrium That is the most cogent explanation of root growth I remember reading. And I'm an old gardener who reads plant id books before bed!

Your name is so hard to spell.!I gave up and copy and pasted. Anyway thanks for the clarity.

Marie
Embothrium
11 years ago
If you're interested in this kind of thing read Establishment and Maintenance of Landscape Plants by Carl E Whitcomb. Libraries of colleges with horticulture departments have it, otherwise you can buy it from the author via his Lacebark Incorporated web site.
User
11 years ago
Bama,

Yes, there are different versions of the Chaste tree that you have. I know one is pink, I had one, but it isn't as pretty as the blue one.

Mulch them and water them well for a couple of years. They will be fine. :Gorgeous tree when they grow in, just watch for babies, so you can plant them up in a pot in case you want it later. Mine had a baby and I gave it away after a couple years in a pot.

Wait til you see how big they get, and how beautiful they are when they bloom. Congrats!
User
11 years ago
Hi, joe

Lurking around and saw your post/pics. Looking good.

How is your puppy?

One of ours now has diabetes, put him on insulin and hope for the best.

How is your front yard?

Jo