Chaste Tree
Vitex agnus-castus
Mature Height: 20 ft.
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Requirements: Full sun
Foliage: Deciduous, 2"-5" long narrow gray-green leaves, aromatic
Flower/Fruit: 6"-12" blue/lilac, white or pink panicles, small gray/brown fruit
Hardy to Zone 6 (with protection)
The chaste tree gets its name from the fact that Athenian women used the leaves in their beds to keep themselves chaste during the feasts of Ceres. The spicy fruit of the tree has been used extensively throughout history to aide the symptoms of female hormonal imbalances as well as other various ailments.
This Mediterranian plant thrives on heat and rapidly becomes a 20 ft. tree or shrub (with equal spread) in no time - cold winters will kill the tree back but it will quickly recover the following year. Blooms begin to appear in mid June and remain for the remainder of the summer. Bees and butterflies love this tree, even more than a buddleia. Keep newly planted trees watered and fertilized but once it becomes established you will not have to worry about it. It is truly a carefree and wonderful plant.
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Growth Rate: Fast
Light Requirements: Full sun
Foliage: Deciduous, 2"-5" long narrow gray-green leaves, aromatic
Flower/Fruit: 6"-12" blue/lilac, white or pink panicles, small gray/brown fruit
Hardy to Zone 6 (with protection)
The chaste tree gets its name from the fact that Athenian women used the leaves in their beds to keep themselves chaste during the feasts of Ceres. The spicy fruit of the tree has been used extensively throughout history to aide the symptoms of female hormonal imbalances as well as other various ailments.
This Mediterranian plant thrives on heat and rapidly becomes a 20 ft. tree or shrub (with equal spread) in no time - cold winters will kill the tree back but it will quickly recover the following year. Blooms begin to appear in mid June and remain for the remainder of the summer. Bees and butterflies love this tree, even more than a buddleia. Keep newly planted trees watered and fertilized but once it becomes established you will not have to worry about it. It is truly a carefree and wonderful plant.
Back to Trees & Shrubs