Evergreen Sub-shrubs

Arabian Lilac

Vitex trifolia

Vitex trifolia is an aromatic shrub or small tree with trifoliate leaves, native to coastal Indo-Pacific regions. It tolerates salt and wind and bears bluish-purple summer flowers, suiting seaside plantings.

View sizes & request a quote

Attributes

Min. temperature

5 °C

Salt tolerant Drought tolerant Attracts pollinators

Care guide

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Low

Height

2–5 m

Hardiness

Medium

Flowering

Spring–Summer

Foliage

Semi-deciduous

In Cyprus

Vitex (Vitex trifolia) is an evergreen shrub or small tree of tropical coasts, found naturally from East Africa and southern Asia to Australia and the Pacific. According to NParks it wants full sun to partial shade and fertile, moist, well-drained soil, and it tolerates salt spray and saline soils; for front-line seaside sites, each project's exposure should still be judged case by case. NParks gives it moderate water needs: once it is well established, give supplementary water according to soil moisture and weather. As a plant of tropical climates, in frost-prone areas its suitability depends on the local microclimate, and it should be planted once the risk of cold has passed.

Uses in gardens and projects

Its compound leaves have three or five elliptical leaflets, covered in white hairs underneath, and purple to violet-blue tubular flowers are carried in clusters up to about 18 cm long at the shoot tips, followed by small black fruits. NParks lists it for coastal planting, parks, small gardens and beachfronts, and notes that it attracts bees, butterflies and birds. It also works in informal screens and shrub groups.

Frequently asked questions

Is Vitex salt tolerant?: NParks records Vitex trifolia as a coastal plant that tolerates salt spray and saline soils. For front-line sites, assess the exposure of the specific project.
How tall does it grow?: NParks gives a large shrub or small tree of 3–8 m in a tropical climate. These are guide figures; pruning keeps it smaller.
Is it evergreen?: NParks records it as evergreen in its tropical range. In cooler spots its behaviour depends on the microclimate.
Does it need much water?: NParks gives moderate water needs. Once established, water as needed according to soil moisture and weather.