The lagerstroemia thread got me thinking of a tree choice I made against it...I've planted two vitex (chaste tree). The bees and butterflies love these, so I'm sure they're nectar-rich, but the flower shape is sort of like a shallow lilac bloom and doesn't really lend itself well to hummingbird feeding. I've never seen mine use it, or seen vitex listed as a hummer plant. But it would be neat if it was! Can anyone report hummingbird activity at a vitex?

Zone 7B
North Carolina Piedmont

Matt, I have seen hummers use Vitex occasionally, but it is not a first choice and probably not a second choice either.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy L Newfield
Casa Colibrí
Metairie, Louisiana USA
USDA Zone 9

Nancy, that sounds like a "when push comes to shove" choice! lol


Patrick
USDA Zone 8b
Heat Zone 3
Sunset Zone 5
SeaTac, WA...one cool place

Of the two Vitex is much more tempting. I've seen it covered with butterflies and bees in other folks gardens. It would have entered the garden years ago if it wasn't for its short bloom period. Last year a specialty nursery 50 miles from here offered one which is supposed to bloom over a much longer period and that nearly put me over the edge. Until this discussion I had forgotten about it - darn.

Generally I agree with Matt about planting native trees and shrubs - if wildlife gardeners don't show the beauty and value of these plants then who will? But by nature I'm not a fundamentalist about anything and couldn't resist the White Tigress Maple and the Korean Dogwood and a whole list of other plants. Our hummingbird gardens are proof that non-native plants have a place in our humanized landscapes. In a way, the human yard is a whole new type of habitat in nature and requires different solutions. To me finding the right anwers to those questions is what this forum is all about.

Thanks, Nancy...I guess third choice is better than nothing as a hummer plant!..and it's a low maintenance tree/shrub, which is always a plus in my book. It is a great butterfly/bee tree, and the bloom period on mine was actually quite long, Ward. In fact, my 'Salina's Pink' lasted from late spring into fall. The showiness diminished after midsummer, but it did bloom. I've read some people will deadhead it to keep the showiness going; I'm just too lazy. Although they do have to deadhead during a light rain or at night because the tree is literally covered in bees (probably another reason they're not high on hummers' lists). It's such a neat shrub that I hoped it might have some usefulness for hummers too...

By the way, Ward, I completely agree with you about non-native plants in the garden. I love planting natives whenever possible, but there are many non-natives that are excellent choices, like the two you listed. I also have a harlequin glorybower (Clerodendrum trichotomum) and a Japanese flowering apricot (prunus mume) in my garden, and they're gorgeous and much different from some of our natives. But that's another thread.

Zone 7B
North Carolina Piedmont

When in bloom the hummers in my yard love it. It is one of the best attractors that I have--for the short period of time that it blooms. I think they like the nectar and the little insects that it attracts also.

Hello Ward,

I agree with you about incorporating plants other than natives into ones garden. Although I know there are many that are quite invasive, but as long as one does their homework, or they have the room to incorporate it, and it's not breaking any laws, I see no harm.
For example, I wouldn't add a Japanese Honeysuckle...seeing that they are extremely invasive, but I am adding a Japanese Iris or two in the gardens this year along with several bearded and a few Siberian ones too.
The Irises aren't a hummer or butterfly attractor, but I'm adding them to bring a wider variety of plants into the garden.
Susan Louise
from Branford CT/ live in Lincoln NE
Zone 5

I've never heard of that cultivar of Vitex, around here you just see Chaste Tree, and it only rarely. Is it agnus-castus or some other species of Vitex?

Just wanted to report that I did see a hummer use one of my vitex today--the 'Montrose Purple.' And sorry for the late response, Ward--yes, both this one and my 'Salinas Pink' are vitex agnus-castus.

Zone 7B
North Carolina Piedmont

Again "reporting"...I watched two hummers share my 'Salinas Pink' vitex last night. It's not a huge shrub yet--maybe 5' by 4'--so they had to know of each other's presence. This is amazing to me because they will absolutely NOT share a feeder yet here, and they chase each other away from the salvia, agastache, etc. One of them worked the vitex for a good minute or so before zooming off. Anyone with vitex seeing this sort of action?

Zone 7B
North Carolina Piedmont