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.

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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

Well, I'll finish up reporting on my vitex this season...off and on use of both this season, which was a plus since I planted them for butterfly use (which is also a big hit). But as I write this--November 23rd--one of my vitex is STILL blooming. Even as the leaves are drooping and ready to fall (no color to this tree; the only non-plus). My 'Salinas Pink' had a heavy flush in mid-summer, then intermittently in late summer, another fairly good bloom in fall, and off and on since then. I am extremely impressed with this tough and easy-to-grow shrub/tree!

Any other good vitex stories?...it's become one of my favorite plants in the garden.

Zone 7B
North Carolina Piedmont

I purchased Vitex 'Shoal Creek' two years ago and I really like it. It died to the ground last winter but it was an unusally cold winter. It vigorously re-sprouted and grew to over 5ft. by 5ft. by mid-summer and was covered with flowers. I saw hummingbirds feeding from it several times and also lots of bees. It is growing in a very hot and dry area next to the south side of my house where even Agastaches don't do well, but the Vitex is thriving. I definitely lean toward growing native trees and shrubs. My yard is full of native viburnums, American hollies, winterberries, chokeberries, inkberries, spicebush, flowering dogwood, summersweet, fringe trees, serviceberry, native azaleas, etc. but I also like the Vitex. It will stay in my yard unless it appears that it might become invasive. I don't think that will happen but I will keep an eye on it.

Gary
Napoleon, OH
USDA Zone 5b

This is a good reminder. Vitex seems like a plant who's new growth would root. I haven't tried it at the nature center and I should. Now the question becomes where can I find plants or even better cuttings of the better blooming ones. It would make a wonderful addition to the sage and agastache hedge.

There is another not hummingbird discussion going on among us concerning the park. And that is creating a list of berry plants to carry from late summer thru winter. If anyone has favorites I would like to hear about them. It is a tough spot, dry and sandy and that makes selection much more difficult.