Shoal Creek Chaste Tree

Vitex agnus-castus ‘Shoal Creek’

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: 8-10′ for solid hedge; 22’+ 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 (Slighty Acidic to Slightly Alkaline)

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

Attracts: Pollinating Insects, Visual Attention, Songbirds, Hummingbirds

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Heat, Insect, Wet Soils

Description

A tree that produces blue flowers? Yes! Some people call this the “Sage Tree” because its spikes of violet-blue flowers resemble those of blue sages (Salvia). When young and in bloom many also mistake it for a butterfly bush.

The ‘Shoal Creek’ Chaste Tree, Vitex agnus-castus, was introduced by Goodness Grows near Athens, Georgia. It was propagated from a seedling that was selected for its larger, more vibrant flower spikes, its faster growth rate, and its superior cold hardiness. In early summer spikes of lilac blooms appear at the ends of every stem on the tree, which grows 15 to 20 feet tall with an equal width. Pruning after the first flowers fade often encourages a second bloom cycle in late summer through early fall.

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, Shoal Creek Chaste Tree quickly grows into a multi- or single-trunk large shrub or small tree to about 15 to 20 feet tall and 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, and pollination gardens!

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

Growing Preferences

Shoal Creek Chaste Tree will grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility, including clay soil. soil, including clay soils. it will tolerate somewhat wet conditions and is also drought tolerant when established. No pruning necessary however responds well to it for shaping purposes or to control size. Deadheading spent flowers encourages a heavier rebloom.

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 it 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, fertilize, prune and water a Vitex Chaste Tree.

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!

The Shoal Creek Vitex plants arrived today, and look to be in good condition.———————————–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