Unripe vitex berries. The vitex tree is still flowering a little, but now it’s mostly just green with the addition of these greenish-yellow berries.

According to Mountain Valley Growers, vitex is “originally from the Mediterranean and western Asia. Where winters are marginal for the plant’s survival (Zone 6) it will die back to the ground, and where winters are very warm it will remain evergreen (Zone 8 and up). It is ideally suited for Zone 7, where it exhibits its true nature and just drops its leaves.” I garden in Zone 8b, but my vitex does drop its leaves every winter.

Mountain Valley Growers adds, “As the flowers of summer fade, small dark-purple berries follow. These dried berries are the medicinal parts used. And even though in the 6th century Vitex was touted as an herb capable of helping Monks maintain their vows of chastity (thus, the common name Monk’s Pepper), Vitex is now considered one of the most vital herbs for regulating and relieving menstrual problems and infertility.” Personally, I leave the berries to the birds, but more power to those who grow this tree for herbal remedies.

I call this area Madison’s garden. Nearly two months ago we buried our dog back here. Next to her grave I transplanted a bamboo muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa), which I understand is not actually a bamboo but a bunchgrass native to Arizona. You can see its feathery stalks leaning over the yellow zexmenia in this photo. For a beautiful image of a mature bamboo muhly, see the Natural Gardener’s site.

Tucked away in the back of the back yard, this garden is a little scruffy and spontaneous, but so was Madison. It suits her, and I kind of like the loose wildness of it. By the kitschy metal flamingo grow several natives: agarita, spineless prickly pear, and flameleaf sumac. Barely visible in the right frame is foliage of my tall Barbados cherry. Lots of great texture and fruit for visiting birds.