Vitex Tree

I bought this Vitex Tree from Annies Annuals last summer, but I'm worried it's dead now that's it's been out in the elements all winter the trunk looks a little freeze damaged...

These buds look promising, but I'm not holding out too much hope. and I don't really want to snip off part of the trunk to see of it's still green, because that will create a branch point, and it s far too small to do that.