Location
Butterfly Garden
Arabian Lilac
- Common Name: Arabian Lilac
- Scientific Name: Vitex trifolia "purpurea"
- Family Name: Lamiaceae
- Origin: Tropical coastlines in East Africa, Asia, Polynesia, and Australia
- Height: 12-14 ft
- Width: 10-15 ft
- Growth: Fast
- Zone: USDA zones 9 through 11
- Light needs: Full sun
- Salt tolerance: High
- Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers light, well-drained soil that will not become waterlogged. Soil pH can range from acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 5.5-7.5)
- Moisture: Water regularly until it is established, then only water when soil becomes dry.
- Drought tolerance: High
- Pests/Diseases: No pests or diseases of strong concern.
- Growing conditions: Does best in a warm sunny area with well-drained soil. Should not be planted in low areas, as it does not like waterlogged soil. It grows quickly and gets very large, so it should be given plenty of room and should be trimmed occasionally. It is a coastal plant with a high salt tolerance, so it is suitable to be planted in coastal gardens. It also does well as a patio plant as long as it is pruned regularly.
- Characteristics: It is a round, perennial shrub/small tree known best for its distinct purple foliage. Leaves are compound, divided into three elliptical leaflets. Leaflets are light green on the upper surface, and the undersides are purple with a somewhat velvet-like texture. When crushed, these leaves give off a peppery smell. The flowers are small and light purple, and grow in clusters on the tips of branches. The berries are small, round, and black.
- Propagation: From seeds or from stem cuttings
- Wildlife: The flowers are known to be a great food source for pollinating insects such as butterflies and bees
- Facts: The name “Vitex” is very old - it’s first recorded use is by the Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder to describe the chastetree. The specific epithet “trifolia” refers to its leaves which are divided into three leaflets.
- Designer considerations: Commonly used as a specimen planting because of its unique, velvety purple foliage. Its an especially good choice for coastal gardens due to its high salt tolerance. Additionally, it can be planted as a porch or patio tree as long as it is trimmed regularly.
Arabian Lilac
CALL US +1.772.337.1959