The thing taking over my backyard……muahaha
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The photo doesn’t do it justice, but this plant is MASSIVE. A 2 year old Vitex, a spring-time gift from my parents. Normally, I am the resident pruner/landscape-artist. But due to our recent parenthood, I have not been taking care of any of the plants. My goal with the Vitex was to trim it like a tree (my parents’ is grown in this style and is gorgeous). Last year this plant was tiny and easy to manage. Now, every time I go outside, I am amazed at how large and unruly it has become.
It attracts a lot of insects and birds, which is great. Although I am much more partial to the Monarch butterflies than the HUGE bumble bees that look like they could bench press me. One evening I was gazing at this monstrous plant and thought I saw 2 large bugs, until I inspected closer and realized it was two humming-birds, how cool is that?! I know I must be getting older when I am posting about backyard plants and marveling at birds. Sorry, nothing fast or furious about this post.
I do well with plants that thrive on neglect, just ask my lovely aloe plants. Or the corn plant in my living room that the cat has sampled many times. But don’t ask the poor poor Basil that was growing outside.
My plan on taming the Vitex is to wait until fall/winter, when all the leaves have fallen off. When I can safely prune, without the company of steroid-swigging bees. If you need a good yard-plant that will flourish without attention and attract interesting bugs/birds, look no further than the Vitex.
3 Responses to “The thing taking over my backyard……muahaha”
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Jenny Says:
October 2nd, 2009 at 9:51 pmWow! It looks huge! Who knew they would get so big so fast. I like mine wild, but you’re right at the mall they don’t look so unruly. Good luck with fall pruning.
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Gayle Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 4:09 pmThat is big!!! I saw it live and in person/planthood yesterday afternoon!
I have never seen one pruned like a tree, I will have to google that!
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Gayle Says:
October 26th, 2009 at 4:10 pmAh, so that’s what it looks like… that is pretty!!!
