Bailey Wins at IPM

Chris Beytes

Minnesota breeder/grower Bailey has been expanding their international presence and this year they earned an Innovation Award at IPM Essen in Germany for their trouble. The awarded plant is Vitex Flip Side, technically known as Vitex x Bailtexone. Named for its two-tone foliage, Flip Side gets 8-in. panicles of purple flowers that attract pollinators. It’s only hardy to Zone 7, but that's actually quite good for a vitex. It's a good substitute for lilac in warm climates.

Flip Side was bred by Plant Introductions, Inc., now Bailey Innovations, and introduced by Bailey’s First Editions collection. GP