Seen here in the foreground is Chastetree, or Vitex, (Vitex agnus-castus). If you are missing lilacs, try this standout shurb/ small tree. We used mostly vibrant hot colors in this landscape and the cool bluish purple of Vitex contrasts nicely with the other, brighter landscape plants. It can be planted wherever a smaller tree might enhance the landscape, even in a planter! The compound leaves and gray bark also make this plant a beautiful addition to a shrubbery border. The wide variety of chastetree cultivars offer a choice in flower color. 'Silver Spire' and 'Alba' have white flowers while 'Rosea' has pink flowers. 'Shoal Creek' boasts show-stopping purple blooms while 'Purpurea' cultivars have delicate lilac flowers. This large, deciduous flowering shrub or small tree is found in gardens across the country. It puts on a show from late spring through fall with its beautiful bluish-purple flowers clustered along tall spikes. The curious name, "chastetree" finds its roots in a Roman book, Naturalis Historia. This early natural history text was written in the first century AD. The author was Pliny the Elder, a noted naturalist, writer, and military commander of the early Roman empire. He notes that women in Athens kept branches of the tree under their beds during the feast of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility. These young women believe the leaves of the plant would help them remain pure, thus the "chastetree". Pliny also notes the origin of another of this plant's names: vitex. The name vitex comes from the Latin vieo, meaning to weave. Pliny believed this name was connected to the tree's use in Roman basket weaving.

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary partial sun and drought-tolerant backyard stone and wood fence landscaping in San Francisco with a fire pit.

Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel and new lay-out
Mid-sized country u-shaped light wood floor and gray floor enclosed kitchen photo in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

This is an example of a large traditional full sun front yard brick retaining wall landscape in Other.

Arctostaphylos columbiana (Hairy Manzanita) thrives in the dry slopes of this woodland garden. The unique bark provides year-round interest. The fruit is a good source of winter food for birds visiting your garden.

Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel and new lay-out
Mid-sized farmhouse u-shaped light wood floor and gray floor enclosed kitchen photo in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

This magnificent white Dogwood is a beauty. While many of the Dogwoods have died out with disease, this one seems to be happy. A bed of Pachysandra keep the moisture in by the trunk and protect the lower bark from lawn mowers,. In addition, a yearly check up by the local tree service keep this focal point in the back yard healthy!Photo by Lauran Corson

Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel and new lay-out
Mid-sized cottage u-shaped light wood floor and gray floor enclosed kitchen photo in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Rhamnus cathartica / common buckthorn

Inspiration for a traditional landscaping in Los Angeles.

This contemporary landscape was completely transformed with bluestone patios, pathways and stairways, horizontal redwood fencing, stucco covered retaining walls, drought-tolerant trees and other plantings along with low-voltage lighting, gravel accents and other touches. The front entrance is accented with gravel area surrounding an olive tree and bluestone stepping stones. Photos and Design © Eileen Kelly, Dig Your Garden Design.

Floating cork flooring does what most other flooring options can’t, be a sustainable resource. Cork is made of the soft, spongy –yet highly durable –tissue found in the bark of the cork oak tree. Only the bark is stripped from the trunks of these trees and used to make cork floating floors. The tree is then left to regenerate. Available in a wide range of designs and colors, cork floating floors will be the ‘green go to’ flooring option for you.

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional shade backyard mulch landscaping in Columbus with a fire pit.

Jane Luce
This is an example of a mid-sized asian partial sun backyard gravel landscaping in DC Metro for summer.

Inspiration for a landscaping in Other.

This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in Seattle.

This is an example of a contemporary landscaping in Seattle.

Trendy kitchen photo in Seattle

Beautiful wall art and fine art that will bring the beauty of the outdoors into your living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, office and more. These photos are printed on high quality photo paper with the highest quality ink & finished off with a soft UV luster coating. Prints are available in 5 sizes right here on Houzz. ***Frame displayed in this photo is for demonstration only.*** About: "Climbing the Tree Botanical Photo" is a beautiful nature photograph of a vine of Poison Ivy climbing the bark of a large tree in the forest towards the glowing rays of sunlight radiating through the treetops. This photo was created to capture the calm, dreamlike essence of the hazy evening scene.