Chaste Tree

If you are searching for an easy-care, stylish ornamental tree, take a good look at this fabulous offering. The Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is one of only a handful of winter-hardy trees that blooms with true-blue flower spikes all summer long. You'll love the way it attracts pollinators, butterflies, or 'Flying Flowers' to your yard.

You will be hard-pressed to find a more spectacularly beautiful plant with more outstanding qualities. It's a fast-growing, multi-trunked tree, and rest assured. You don't need any special skills or knowledge to grow this tree in your yard.

It's easy to grow in well-drained soil. It's drought-tolerant and disease-resistant. You'll be very pleased with the return you get on your limited investment (both time and money!) with this tree.

Other common names such as Monk's Pepper and Chastetree, the Chaste Tree has handsome and aromatic green foliage with a decidedly silvery cast to the undersides. As summer heats up, your Chaste Tree will astound you with its impressive blue spikes that bloom right up until autumn.

Though always appreciated for the beautiful blue-purple flower color, the plant was commonly grown as a medicinal plant to instill purity in women. This tree was named "chaste" in medieval Europe because it was thought that a potion made from the flowers would cure an overactive libido.

We know that just the opposite is true. You will fall madly in love with this plant in your yard!

Chaste Trees can be grown as shrubs in colder USDA growing zones 6 (and possibly zone 5) where the plant may die back to the ground in winter and are treated more like you would a perennial. Then, in spring new growth develops from the roots that will quickly grow and flower usually from June until frost.  Often, they are used as dieback shrubs in these colder zones, and in the warmer zones, they can grow into 20-foot trees where they will not die back. 

Don't let summer go by without adding one from Nature Hills to your landscape!

How to Use Chaste Tree in the Landscape

The deciduous Chaste tree can be used in a variety of different ways. Its upright growth can be pruned to approximate either a large shrub or small tree to fit your needs.

Wonderful whether in bloom or not, it performs beautifully as a specimen or small patio tree. The spreading canopy is light and airy, which gives an enormously satisfying dappled shade.

Plant a single tree as a specimen in full sun. Or, use it as a naturalized, multi-trunk focal point in a garden bed.

Let the lower branches fill in and try it as an outrageously beautiful hedge or light-screening plant. This is especially effective along a driveway or property line.

It also does well in a container but will require regular watering to keep it healthy. In the ground, the Chaste is a low-water plant once established.

The eye-catching Chaste contrasts well in a perennial bed or with darker-colored foliage plants like Smokebush or Ninebark shrubs. Pair with other Chaste tree cultivars like the smaller Blue Diddley, Shoal Creek Chaste tree, Blue Puffball Chaste shrub, or the white flowers of Crème de la Crème™.

Ornamental Tree with a Lot of History and Special Meaning

The Chaste Tree traces its history back more than 2,500 years. Different medicinal attributes associated with the Chaste Vitex tree and the compounds it produces continue to be studied and utilized in holistic science today. Yes, compounds from this beautiful plant are found in Vitex supplements in every health store across the country.

Especially celebrated for helping with women's issues, this giving tree may be one of the most perfect flowering trees to celebrate children and loved ones. Many women will know just how meaningful Vitex was to support them on their fertility journey.

Hint, hint - this tree would make a wonderful gift!

#ProPlantTips for Care

Native to western Asia and southern Europe, the aromatic gray-green foliage contrasts well with the light to dark bluish-lilac terminal flower spikes. Chaste Trees need a sunny location in well-drained soil and adapt well if given these two things. Generally hardy in zones 6-9, but some like to grow them as die-back shrubs in zone 5 where they get cut back each spring and still sprout and flower each year as a smaller shrub. 

The tiny fragrant flowers are clustered along each terminal flower spike and last for a very long time from spring to summer. In some climates, it will rebloom in the fall.

Clip spent flower heads to keep a clean look to the plant. This will also encourage a rebloom to occur. This mindful task can be quite relaxing, and it's never a chore to get close up to these fragrant plants!

Featuring a fast growth rate, and open, airy growth habit, these blue-lilac Chaste trees do great in most of North America. Lightly prune limbs, before you see new growth in early spring, by cutting back to the point that they originate from on the trunk. Cut back as much as 1/3rd of the entire canopy height in a season to control height, keeping in mind Chaste blooms on new wood.

However you use this lovely tree in your landscape, we know you'll appreciate its great looks. Order your Chaste Vitex Tree for sale at NatureHills.com's complete online garden center today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Chaste Trees good for?

Vitex agnus-castus l Chaste Trees are fantastic flowering ornamentals with fragrant blooms, and low-maintenance canopies and thrive in more Xeric conditions. Casting light shade and offering up fragrant lilac-blue blooms for your landscape, pollinators and cut flower bouquets! Chaste trees are also used in some supplements for women’s health and more!

How tall does a Chaste Tree get?

The Vitex Chaste Tree can grow to 15-25 feet in height and features an equally spreading canopy.

What does a Chaste Tree smell like?

The aromatic leaves and fragrant flowers of the Chaste tree smell peppery, spice-like, and of crushed sage. Even the seeds carry this distinctive fragrance!

How fast do Chaste Trees grow?

Chaste Trees are fast-growing trees and shrubs that in optimal conditions can grow 15 to 25 feet in height during their lifetime.

What shipping options do you offer?

NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule for more information and to learn our wills and won’ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Chaste Tree for sale here at NatureHills.com!