Vitex – Chaste Tree

Vitex agnus-castus

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-11 Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub or Tree

Height at Maturity: 15-20′

Width at Maturity: 15-20′

Spacing: 8′ for solid hedge; 20’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Broad, Upright

Growth Rate: Very Fast

Flower Color: Light Blue

Flower Size: Large, 8-12″ long x 1″ wide

Flowering Period: Mid-late Spring through Summer

Flower Type: Single, in long panicles

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Medium Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes, aromatic

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist to Poorly Drained

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5 (Slightly Acidic to Slightly Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Very Low when left in it’s natural form

Attracts: Pollinating Insects, Visual Attention, Songbirds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Heat, Insect, Wet Soils

Description

A tree that produces blue flowers? Yes! Some people call this the “Sage Tree” because the striking, pretty spikes of violet-blue flowers resemble that of blue sages (Salvia). When young and in bloom, many also mistake this tree for butterfly bush. An abundance of flowers are produced during late spring to early summer. If there’s average or adequate rainfall or irrigation during the summer you can expect another good flush of flowers in late summer or early fall. The 5-lobed leaves, which resemble those of Japanese maple or cannabis plant, is pleasantly aromatic.

The flowers of the Chaste Tree are very attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds and beneficial pollinating bees. If the spent flowers are left on the tree in fall, seeds will form that Cardinals and other birds absolutely love to dine on during the winter months. So, if you are into feeding the birds, this is a must have tree that will provide a free source of food for them.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Depending on your preference, Chaste Tree quickly grows into a multi- or single-trunk shrub or small tree to about 15 to 20 feet tall and 15-18 feet wide. In design, we use it as we do upright Japanese maple: as a focal point specimen tree, in groupings of three or more where space allows, or to frame in the corners of homes and other structures. Grown as a shrub, when planted in straight or staggered rows it makes a colorful hedge and looks especially nice around garden ponds and other bodies of water and in rock gardens. A worthy addition to bird, butterfly, hummingbird, pollination and blue theme gardens!

Spacing: 8-10 feet apart for solid hedge; 22 feet or more for space between plants

Growing Preferences

Chaste Tree will grow in most any average soil, including clay soils. It prefers a moist but well-drained soil however will tolerate temporary wet conditions. As with so many other ornamental shrubs and trees, constantly wet soil can be problematic. Good drought tolerance when established.

Note: The chaste tree is cold hardy in USDA Zones 5a-9b. In USDA Zones 5 and 6 young plants might die back to the ground during an unusually cold winter. If so, cut the plant back to the ground like you would a butterfly bush and it will quickly regrow to a 4 to 6′ shrub.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Vitex Chaste Trees.

How To Plant A Chaste Tree

How To Fertilize, Prune & Water A Chaste Tree

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

I received my tree and was pleased to see a protective wrapping over the top of the potted tree, securing the soil for shipping. My tree was planted a week ago it now has purple flowers starting to bloom. I am very satisfied with Wilson Brothers and plan to order more plants for my garden.————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Couldn’t have found any nicer Vitex then these. Thank you.—————————————-You’re welcome! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy your purchase for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and wonderful review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The tree was chosen for its uniqueness of having blue flowers. It arrived in good time and good condition, The spot I chose was more rocky clay so we couldn’t quite get the width and depth recommended but the soil was amended with compost, and she was well watered. Plan to top dress with more compost and look forward to new growth next spring.—————————————————-Thanks so much for your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. 🙂 – Beth | WBG

We purchased 2 blue Chaste trees from Wilson Bros Gardens in winter 2021. They arrived in great condition and have done wonderful. They are a beautiful addition to our Gardens.—————————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I bought about 20 plants from Wilson Brothers this year to fill gaps left by last summer’s dericho. They have all done well. The Vitex is amazing, it looks like it has been in place for years. It made excellent new growth and has been flowering all summer. Neither the deer or insects have touched it. Ordered two more for fall planting.——————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

We saw a mature Chaste Tree at the Knoxville Zoo and I immediately wanted one. The healthy plant that Wilson Bros sent was packaged very carefully and arrived healthy with buds. Now it has been in the large pot for several weeks and is quite lovely. We’ll leave it in the tree pot for several years before it goes in the yard.———————————–We are so glad yall are pleased and we hope yall enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The chaste tree arrived well-packaged and in great condition! We’re very excited to see what the flowers look like when the buds open. Thank you, Wilson Bros!————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Ordered 3 of these trees and they arrived timely and packed expertly. They have been planted for 3-4 weeks and are showing signs of new growth. Looking forward to them maturing!———————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Very satisfied with my order,my tree showed up damage free. This tree is beautiful had no trouble getting it started. I will be ordering again. Thank You for such great service.
Thank You.—————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This is an AWESOME plant!!! I like it so much that after sharing pictures with my aunt, she has ordered one for herself. It arrived healthy and very quickly.————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for referring us to your Aunt. Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Just a quick thank you! My order arrived way faster than I ever expected, and the chaste looks healthy after a well packaged journey. It is in the ground, per your instructions, and ready to grow. Come on, spring! Thanks!————————————-Thanks for the kind words! We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Just got this, great looking plant. purchased several different items over the years and have found your packaging, quality of the plants and pricing to be of great quality at reasonable price.————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it and your others for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

In renovating an old garden here in Asheville, NC this summer, I have included a number of plants from your nursery. Your inventory includes so many varieties of plants that are hard to find elsewhere—“old fashioned” varieties that are needed for an old garden. Plus, I have been very impressed with the health of the plants we’ve received and the quality of your shipping! All of your plants seem to be happy as clams here.———————————-Thanks so much for your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. 🙂 – Beth | WBG

Spectacular loaded with beautiful blooms!—————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

After exhausting our search for these plants locally we found them on Wilson Bros Gardens on line. The plants arrived quickly, were perfectly packed, and in great condition. Not even one leaf was bent and they were still in bloom. we couldn’t be happier.——————————————We are so glad yall are pleased and we hope yall enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Having never purchased plants online I was concerned about ordering. The trees arrived packaged very carefully in perfect condition. We planted them right away and they are happy, healthy, and thriving. I enjoyed ordering from Wilson Brothers and will not hesitate to order again.———————–Thanks for the great review! We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

Beautiful potted trees in 3 gallon pots—————————–We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

My chaste tree arrived promptly. It’s a very good size for the price and was perfectly packaged. We got it in the ground just before an unexpected November freeze, so we have our fingers crossed that it will be OK. I highly recommend these folks. I am impressed. I have had some terrible experiences with mail order plants.————————————Hi Pat, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Blue Chaste Tree. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words!!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

This tree came on time and was planted the next day! At this time it is doing well and will be the focal point of our backyard garden!———————————————Hi Patrick, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Blue Chaste Tree. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Came on time, very well packed, little tree was in very good condition, planted next day.————————————-Hi Barbara, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Blue Chaste Tree. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Our chaste tree arrived as promised, in excellent condition. Can’t wait to watch it flourish! —————- WBG Reply: Hi Ben – Thanks so much for providing your review of the Blue Chaste Tree and we hope you enjoy it for years to come. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

The Blue Chaste Tree arrived well-packaged and in perfect condition. The tree was filled with undamaged branches and flowers. The color is true to the description and is a really nice addition to my garden. I am very pleased with the size and quality and will definitely be making more purchases from Wilson Bros Gardens. ——— WBG Reply: Hi Wade – Very glad to hear your Chasetree arrived safely and that you got to see the blue flowers. We have a nice specimen planted beside our offices and it’s in full bloom for the second time this year. Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review as it helps others to know who we are and the quality of our plants. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

The tree arrived in good condition, looked healthy, was a nice size and I was pleased. ——– WBG Reply: Hi Laura – Thanks for taking the time to provide your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. Plant long and prosper! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

THE CHASTETREE ARRIVED LOADED WITH FLOWERS AND VERY HEALTHY IT LOOKS GORGEOUS —— WBG Reply: Hi Elizabeth – Thanks for the compliments and taking the time to provide your review! nice you got to see the flowers. When Vitex trees are young and smaller, after the flowers have faded you can deadhead them if you want. This will encourage new growth and you might see another round of flowers before summer ends. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

Fast shipping, flowering beautifully upon arrival. VERY HAPPY! ——— WBG Reply: Hi Trina – Thanks for the compliments and taking the time to provide your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

Plant arrived very quickly after placing my order. Was in excellent health, nice size, already blooming. Planted it a few weeks ago, and it looks great, is thriving, doing very well. I recommend this plant, and Wilson Bros. ——– WBG Reply: Hi David – We appreciated the opportunity to serve you and thanks for taking the time to provide your review, and all the nice compliments. We absolutely love the chastetree…have one planted right beside our office. Glad to hear yours is thriving and doing well. Expect it to double or triple in size every year. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

This tree arrived in perfect condition and right on time. Very healthy looking- cannot wait to see the “blue” flowers!

Arrived quickly, very well packed. Now (3 weeks later) growing nicely and is healthy.

I couldn’t be happier with the condition of my new plant and was very pleased with how quickly my order was shipped. Thanks!

Packaged very well! We were surprised that it had leafed out already. Thanks!