Photo of Vitex agnus-castus flower, form by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Used with permission, all rights reserved

Show all photos

Vitex agnus-castus

Also Known As

  • Vitex agnus castus
  • Chaste Tree
  • Chasteberry
  • Monk's Pepper

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

  • H: 8'-15'
  • W: 8'-12'

planting zones

  • 6a-10b

More Options

Vitex agnus-castus plant details

Vitex agnus-castus is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub or tree with blue and green foliage. In fall and summer blue and lavender flowers emerge. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Vitex agnus-castus

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: lamiaceae
Foliage: deciduous blue and green
Mature size: 8 FT - 12 FT - wide, 8 FT - 15 FT - tall
Flowers: blue and lavender blooms in fall and summer
Uses: award-winning, border plant, cutting garden, easy-to-grow, fragrant, multi-trunked, screen, small tree, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Vitex agnus-castus

USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: deer, heat and seaside / salt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A large shrub or small tree which tolerates many conditions and provides good late summer color with its blue flower spikes. S/M-D
Fantastic small tree 10-15', fast growing, low branching and rounded – Silvery palmate leaves – Fragrant lavender panicles all summer attractive to butterflies & bees (great honey plant) – Very drought tolt. – Awesome in a Mediterranean Garden, Deer resistant – Most soils (not soggy) Sun – Easy and choice – Much underused!
A die-back shrub here but top hardy a little farther south, with blue flowers attractive to butterflies and aromatic foliage that looks a bit like Cannabis. We have a mix of both pink and blue forms, see picture in Wayside catalog.
Adaptable small tree or large shrub to 15' with a graceful fountain-shaped structure. Winter deciduous and bountiful in its attributes, with attractive cork-like winter bark, fragrant lavender-blue flowers in summer, soothing gray-green foliage, and a graceful habit throughout the year. Flowers resemble Buddleias or lilacs, with 6 inch racemes held at branch tips. A durable plant for full sun and hot, dry climates with moderate to occasional water. Hardy to 0 °F. Western Asia and Southern Europe.
The Chaste Tree is an old Southern favorite. It makes a small tree 10-15 tall with palmate leaves that are green on top and gray on bottom. Spectacular lilac colored flower panicles cover the trees most of summer. Awards: Georgia Gold Medal Winner

By: Fantastic Plants

Lavender-blue spikes, to 12" long, are borne in summer held against the soft green fragrant foliage. Vitex attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. An upright and spreading large deciduous shrub or small tree that is drought and salt tolerant with excellent disease resistance. Vitex are great for summer color and their large spikes of colorful flowers attract butterflies and bees. Vitex are adaptable to a wide variety of soil types and are considered to be drought tolerant enough to be suitable for Xeric gardens. These durable and easily grown shrubs are basically pest and disease free, are deer resistant, and are moderately salt tolerant. Removing spent flowers and seed heads will promote the production of wave after wave of new flowers throughout the summer and into fall.
Beautiful tree or large shrub for the patio or smaller area or in the border. Aromatic grey-green leaves set of showy spikes of fragrant lilac blooms. Usually forms a multi-trunk shrub with a broad and spreading crown. Thrives in heat. Fast grower. Easy care, attracts butterflies, has showy flowers and is Fragrant!

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Here's an outstanding addition to the dry border. Dusky silvered green leaves below huge candles of purple densely packed September flowers . Large deciduous shrub to 10' or a bit more, though easily pruned back. Full sun, no supplemental water needed once established. Frost hardy to USDA zone 6. Easy and carefree addition to the garden.
Spectacular in bloom - this outstanding EASY, HEAT & DROUGHT TOLERANT & NEGLECT & DEER PROOF long-lived shrub (or small tree) creates a breath-taking display of lavender flower spikes July-September. Fragrant & graceful, the 8-12” blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies & hummers & promote excellent honey production. “Chaste Tree” grows 8-12’ tall & wide with aromatic deep green leaves. Cut it to the ground each Winter to maintain a bushy form or prune up into a multi-trunked tree. You can grow this highly adaptable shrub just about anywhere you can muster up the space - it even does well in a large container as a patio plant ! Some Summer water & an annual side-dress of compost for best appearance. Tolerates coastal conditions! Long used as a medicinal for PMS & more.

Gardening facts about Vitex agnus-castus plant

How to Grow Vitex agnus-castus

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • seaside / salt tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • blue
    • lavender
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • bees
    • butterflies
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • fall
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
Mailing List
Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

© 2010—2024 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved