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Vitex agnus-castus Flip Side - Chaste Tree

Vitex agnus-castus Flip Side 'Bailtexone' PP30,283
Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper, Chasteberry, Chaste Lamb

4,3/5
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So far I had never had any problems with the growth, especially for autumn plantings, but this time, as I advanced in the season, I have no hope of recovery.

Marlou, 26/05/2024

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

Vitex agnus-castus 'Flip Side' is a new American variety that stands out for the colour of its amazing foliage, which is dark green with violet undersides. It showcases its stunning deep lavender-blue summer flowering, in clusters of fragrant and highly attractive flowers. This shrub has a more compact and elegant habit than the type species. This deciduous shrub is still relatively uncommon despite its good hardiness and ease of cultivation even in dry soils.
Flower size
15 cm
Height at maturity
2.50 m
Spread at maturity
3 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October
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Flowering time July to September
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Description

Vitex agnus-castus 'Flip Side', also known as Chaste Tree or Monk's Pepper, is a new variety that stands out for its amazing foliage colour, which is dark green with a purple underside. It showcases superb summer flowering in deep lavender-blue, with clusters of highly scented flowers reminiscent of buddleias. This shrub has a more compact and elegant habit than the type species. Flowering is followed by the formation of small compact clusters filled with red and shiny 'peppercorns' that persist throughout winter. Its beautiful foliage is fragrant, as is the entire plant. This deciduous shrub is hardy, undemanding, tolerant of salty soils, and resistant to drought once established. Easy to grow and introduce to the garden, it prefers sunny locations and well-drained soils.

Vitex agnus-castus is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Verbenaceae family, native to the Mediterranean basin and Asia Minor. While it is particularly robust and easy to grow, it is often criticised for its excessive growth, disorderly habit, and somewhat lackluster flowering. All these flaws are corrected with this new 'Flip Side' variety, recently obtained in the United States through the cross-breeding of Vitex trifolia 'Purpurea' and Vitex agnus-castus. It is part of the excellent 'First Editions' collection. 'Flip Side' forms a dense, spreading, and graceful bush. When fully grown, it will measure approximately 2.5 m (8 ft) in height and 3 m (10 ft) in width. Its flowering occurs from July to September, depending on the climate, on the current year's shoots. It often has repeat blooms. Spectacular and dense spikes covered with tiny intense lavender-blue flowers cover the plant. Then small fruits the size of peppercorns appear, which are aromatic, dark red and shiny, and persist until winter. The fast-growing stems are sturdy and very flexible. They bear palmate deciduous leaves, divided into 5 slender lobes, dark olive-green on the upper surface and violet on the lower surface. The foliage releases a strong peppery scent when crushed, hence its nickname of Pepper Tree. Vitex plants develop a very deep root system, allowing them to draw moisture from deep within the soil during dry summers.

Often found in coastal areas, Vitex agnus-castus is drought-resistant once well established. Retaining the qualities of this undemanding and sturdy shrub, the 'Flip Side' variety distinguishes itself with its purple aura, especially when its foliage is stirred by the wind. Its modest growth allows it to fit into small gardens, as a loose hedge or in a grove, alongside oleanders (in mild climates), pink repeat-flowering roses, buddleias, or summer tamarisks.

Its vernacular name of 'Monk's Pepper' dates back to the Middle Ages when some clergymen consumed the shrub's berries to resist the temptations of the flesh. Since then, studies have proven the plant's properties in relieving issues related to hormonal fluctuations in women. In Ancient Greece, Vitex stems were used to make strong ropes. Legend has it that Ulysses tied his companions with such ropes under the bellies of sheep, allowing them to escape from the Cyclops' cave.

 

Vitex agnus-castus Flip Side - Chaste Tree in pictures

Vitex agnus-castus Flip Side - Chaste Tree (Flowering) Flowering
Vitex agnus-castus Flip Side - Chaste Tree (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2.50 m
Spread at maturity 3 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour blue
Flowering time July to September
Inflorescence Panicle
Flower size 15 cm
Fragrance slightly scented, Peppery, balsamic fragrance.
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Fruit colour red

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Botanical data

Genus

Vitex

Species

agnus-castus

Cultivar

Flip Side 'Bailtexone' PP30,283

Family

Verbenaceae

Other common names

Chaste Tree, Monk's Pepper, Chasteberry, Chaste Lamb

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference874091

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Planting and care

Plant Vitex in a sunny position in well-drained, preferably deep soil. This shrub is not very demanding in terms of the nature of the soil, whether it is limestone, neutral or slightly acidic. It withstands sea spray and brackish water very well. Shelter it from cold and drying winds and water in case of prolonged drought during the first few years. It fears very heavy frosts, especially if the soil it is planted in is poorly drained.

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Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, well-drained soil

Care

Pruning instructions By removing faded flowers in July, you can obtain new flowering in September on the shoots of the year.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time July
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,3/5
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