Chaste Tree
Vitex agnus-castus
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Cold hardy, Fragrant, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts pollinators, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Fast-growing, and Evergreen
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Botanical Name
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Height
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Width
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Growing Zones
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Sunlight
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Growth RateFast
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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Pollinator FriendlyYes
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Bloom PeriodEarly Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall
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FragrantYes
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Does Not Ship ToAK, HI, ID, MT
Growing Zones 6-9
If you live in a hot climate and find yourself envious of the cool-season lilacs your Northern friends grow, the Chaste Tree is your answer. This heat-loving powerhouse laughs at sweltering temperatures and drought, delivering waves of fragrant, purple-blue flower spikes right through the dog days of summer when most other plants are stalling. It’s the ultimate landscape problem-solver: fast-growing, beautiful, and tough as nails.
Why Gardeners Rely on Vitex
You will often hear this plant called the Texas Lilac, and for good reason. It provides that classic cottage-garden aesthetic but actually thrives in the humidity and heat of the South and Southwest (Zones 7-9). Beyond the blooms, it is a top-tier choice for battling local wildlife pressure. The aromatic, sage-scented foliage is highly unappealing to deer, meaning you get to enjoy the flowers instead of watching them become a snack.
Additionally, this is a magnet for pollinators. The long spires of violet-blue blooms are constantly visited by butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees, bringing dynamic movement to your backyard.
Growing Success & Hardiness
Success with Vitex agnus-castus starts with sun—give it as much as you can. It loves a full day of direct light and well-draining soil.
One common point of confusion is how this plant handles winter. In warmer regions (Zones 7-9), this grows into a substantial, multi-trunked Vitex tree reaching 15-20 feet tall. However, if you are gardening in Zone 5 or 6, you should treat it more like a large woody perennial. In these cooler zones, it often dies back to the ground in winter. Don't worry—because Chaste Trees bloom on new wood, it will shoot up vigorously in spring and still give you a full flush of flowers every single year.
Seasonal Appeal
The show typically begins in late spring or early summer and can last until autumn. The deep blue spikes stand out sharply against the palm-like leaves, which feature silvery undersides that flash in the wind.
Pro Tip: Does the Chaste Tree bloom all summer? It can! To keep the color coming, "deadhead" (clip off) the spent flower spikes before they go to seed. This encourages a fresh wave of blooms later in the season and prevents the tree from dropping seeds in your garden.
Landscape Placement
This adaptable plant works beautifully as a focal point in a Xeric (water-wise) landscape or a Mediterranean-style garden. It’s also a fantastic solution for "hell strips"—those hot, dry spots near driveways or sidewalks where other plants struggle. For patio gardeners, it makes a dramatic thriller in a large container, though it will stay smaller in a pot than in the ground.
Ready to bring effortless blue blooms to your landscape? Order your Chaste Tree today, and we’ll ship it when the time is right for planting in your area.
