Vitex agnus castus
VYE-texm
AG-nuhsm
CASS-tuhs
Lilac Chaste Tree
Vitex agnus castus, Lilac Chaste Tree,
courtesy of John Campbell copyright.
Description
The chaste tree is a beautiful little deciduous tree or large shrub
with a showy summertime flower display. The leaves are 3-4 in
(7.6-10 cm) in diameter and palmately compound with 5 to 7 fingerlike
leaflets. Also called sage tree, the foliage is likewise aromatic and
is typically grey-green to dark green above and lighter on the
undersides. The leaves also bear a striking resemblance to those of
the infamous marijuana or hemp (Cannabis spp.) plant which provides
yet another common name, hemp tree. When in bloom, due to the
similarity of the flowers, the chaste tree is sometimes mistaken for
butterfly bush (Buddleia). The chaste tree is a sprawling plant that
grows 10-20 ft (3-6 m) and about as wide. Branched flower clusters
are produced on new wood in late spring and early summer in a great
flush that makes the tree look like a hazy purple cloud. It
continues to bloom sporadically until early fall. Not only is the
tree strikingly beautiful when in full bloom, but it is also fragrant
and attracts pollinating bees and hummingbirds make hungry visits.
Flowers are followed by a fleshy fruit that contains four seeds that
are sometimes used as seasoning, similar to black pepper (monk's
pepper is another of this species' common names). Flower color
ranges from violet to blue to deep purple. There is also a white form
but to me they look dingy and uninteresting compared to their showier
kin.
Location
Chaste tree is native to woodlands and dry areas of southern Europe
and western Asia. Because of its many admirable attributes, the
chaste tree is a garden favorite wherever in the world it can be
grown.
This is the unripe fruit of the chaste tree as they mature they'll
dry and darken as they are held on the tree well into winter. The
dry drupes are the size of a black peppercorn and contain four
seeds - this "monk's pepper" is also sometimes used to season food.
Culture
Easy to grow in almost any soil that has good drainage! Even
tolerant of salt drift. The chaste tree can take care of itself, but
can be pushed to faster growth with light applications of
fertilizer in spring and early summer and by mulching around the
plant. If pruning is desired to control the size, it should be done
in winter, since blooms form on new wood. It is hardly ever
disturbed by pests or disease but is susceptible to mushroom root
rot and nematodes.
Light: Sun to shade.
Moisture: Moderate to moist, well drained soil.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 6-10. In Zone 6 chaste tree is best planted
against a wall for additional protection against extreme cold.
Propagation: By seed in the spring and fall or by cuttings which are
easy to root in warm weather.
Probably best to attract nectaring lepidoptera, not known as a larval
host.
Might be a host for
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