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

    Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    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

    By: Forestfarm

    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!

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    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.

    By: Arrowhead Alpines

    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.

    By: Native Sons

    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.

    By: Almost Eden

    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.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    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.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    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

    See other plant types of Vitex for your garden

    Vitex agnus-castus 'Silver Spire'

    aka Vitex agnus-castus 'Silver Spires', Silver Spires Chastetree

    Plant Type

    Tree

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 15'-25'

    Width: 15'-25'

    • sun
    • regular - low
    Photo of Vitex agnus-castus 'Silver Spire' flower, foliage by Almost Eden
    View Plant

    Vitex agnus-castus 'Shoal Creek'

    aka Shoal Creek Chaste Tree

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 8'-12'

    Width: 8'-12'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Vitex agnus-castus 'Shoal Creek' flower by Fantastic Plants
    View Plant

    More Options

    Vitex negundo

    aka Chastetree, Cut-leaf Chaste Tree

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    6a-10b

    Size

    Height: 6'-15'

    Width: 5'-10'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Vitex negundo flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
    View Plant

    Vitex agnus-castus 'Sensation'

    aka Vitex agnus-castus 'Sensational', Monk's Pepper Tree, Sensation Chaste Tree, Sensational Chaste Tree, Vitex

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 10'-15'

    Width: 10'-15'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Vitex agnus-castus 'Sensation' flower by Almost Eden
    View Plant

    More Options

    Vitex 'Pink Sensation'

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub

    Zones

    7a-9b

    Size

    Height: 10'

    Width: 15'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Vitex 'Pink Sensation' flower by Almost Eden
    View Plant

    More Options

    +18 more Vitex
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