| I have a new Vitex (about 3 ft. tall). Are there any pruning guidelines for this tree/shrub? Is it okay to prune spent flower clusters? |
| Vitex agnus-castus is a deciduous shrub or small tree. In your mild winter climate you can train your Vitex into a tree. (Where it freezes in the winter it becomes a shrubby perennial.) It isn't necessary to remove the spent flowers, but you may if you wish. Prune to shape in early spring; Vitex blooms on new wood. To keep it blooming, plan to prune it back a bit each spring. If you decide to keep your plant as a shrub rather than a tree, cut the entire plant back to about 1' high each spring. This will promote the growth of new flowering wood. |
