Vitex negundo

This very showy sister of the “Chaste-Tree” (Vitus agnus-castus) makes an attractive shrub or small tree. TOUGH, HEAT AND FAIRLY DROUGHT TOLERANT, it makes a showy display of upward pointing, FRAGRANT, lilac to lavender flower spikes. The pretty leaves are shaped like a cut-leaf maple; the trunk is gray and somewhat ornamental. Bees are strongly attracted to Vitex negundo, and so it is often planted where honey is marketed as it promotes excellent honey production. Though it prefers loose, well-drained soils, it TOLERATES CLAY AND SANDY SOILS. Can be used in a mixed shrub border or as a specimen and is popular in parking strips as it does not create surface roots. It’s usually seen as a shrub but can easily be trained into a tree. Now-why is it called “Chaste-Tree”? It’s said that Athenian women strew their beds with the leaves to keep themselves “chaste”. Pliny wrote that Vitex “checks violent, sexual desire”. Hmmm. Many medicinal uses since ancient times. Today it’s most well known for relieving menopausal symptoms. 6-15’ tall, may reseed.