General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Water Preferences: Mesic
Dry Mesic
Dry
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 5b -26.1 °C (-15 °F) to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Plant Height: 4 to 15 feet (1.2-4.6m)
Plant Spread: 4 to 12 feet (1.2-3.5m)
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Fragrant
Flowers: Showy
Fragrant
Flower Color: Blue
Other: Lilac
Bloom Size: 6"-12"
Flower Time: Summer
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Pollinators: Various insects
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: Tolerates poor soil
Awards and Recognitions: Texas Superstar®
Other: 2011 Louisiana Super Plant

Image
Common names
  • Vitex
  • Chaste Tree
  • Lilac Chaste Tree
  • Chastetree
  • Monk's Pepper

Photo Gallery
Location: Jacksonville TX
Date: 2021-06-24
Location: Jacksonville, TX
Date: 2014-06-10
Location: Thomasville, GA USA
Date: 2019-06-11
In my Butterfly garden happily providing sweet nectar to a hungry
Location: Thomasville, GA USA
Date: 2020-05-19
I met this female Eastern #Tiger #Swallowtail #butterfly feasting
Location: Thomasville, GA USA
Date: 2019-08-15
A lucky #Monarch enjoying the sweet nectar of the Vitex bloom
Location: Jacksonville, TX
Date: Jul 11, 2011 6:40 PM
Location: Jacksonville, TX
Date: 2012-06-06
Bumblebee #Pollination
Location: Jacksonville, TX
Date: 2012-05-10
Location: Northeastern, Texas
Date: 2016-10-24
Blooms from spring to fall

Date: 2013-08-11

Date: 2012-08-14
Popular with bees
Location: My garden
With golden Locust tree in background

Photo courtesy of Annie's Annuals and Perennials
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Burleson, Tx.
Location: In my garden
Date: 2012-07-24
Location: My garden
Location: My garden
Location: In my garden
Date: 2014-08-04
Location: Northeastern, Texas
Date: 2015-10-03
Leaves fall color
Location: Temple, Texas
Date: Sept 17, 2019
Harvested seeds for propagating.
Location: In my garden
Date: 2012-07-24
Location: In my garden
Date: 2014-08-04
Location: In my garden
Date: 2014-08-04
This plant is tagged in:
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Comments:
  • Posted by dave (Southlake, Texas - Zone 8a) on Jul 12, 2013 9:05 AM concerning plant:
    If I had a top 10 list of my favorite plants that I can't live without, this one is definitely on that list, and high up on the list at that.

    It's hardy.
    Fast growing.
    Tolerant of nearly any soil.
    Handles drought and heat without complaint.
    Blooms repeatedly all summer long (if properly deadheaded).
    If this weren't enough, it has highly fragrant blooms!
    The blue color is striking in the landscape.
    Astoundingly, it can handle poor drainage, too.
    It's perfect for those hot, dry and difficult areas of your yard.

    All this, plus the plant attracts beneficial insects, especially bees and butterflies. It's a bee magnet, which is a good thing.

    To encourage repeated growth, deadhead the shrub. After it's done blooming it will start making little peppercorn sized seeds. Cut those all off and it'll prompt the plant to rebloom again. You can repeat this all summer long.

    The plant responds well to heavy pruning. In fact, it is encouraged to prune it back deeply in order to promote a new flush of growth. Think "Crepe Murder" here. It's actually a good thing for this particular kind of plant.

    Love love love it! Don't delay, act now! Add this amazing plant to your southern garden!
  • Posted by SCButtercup (Simpsonville SC - Zone 7b) on Aug 28, 2014 5:03 AM concerning plant:
    Seems like Dave said it all, but it bears repeating: If you are lucky enough to live in a warm zone, then you have to get this plant. Can be trained to grow as a small tree if you trim off the lower growth to create a few trunks, similar to a crepe myrtle. Makes a great shrub that can be pruned back to keep it short. Looks great with early-blooming peonies like Sara Bernhardt planted in its shade.
  • Posted by StephGTx (Texas - Zone 8a) on Sep 18, 2011 6:17 PM concerning plant:
    This is a fast growing ornamental tree here in N.Tx. It blooms profusely spring-fall. Bumblebees LOVE this tree.
Plant Events from our members
tabbycat On May 15, 2022 Bloomed
tabbycat On April 15, 2022 Miscellaneous Event
Large one has leafed out & small one I'm keeping is 12" with 3 low branches growing in a pot on patio.
tabbycat On May 15, 2021 Bloomed
Just starting to show purple
tabbycat On March 15, 2021 Plant emerged
1st tip sprouts of 2021
tabbycat On February 24, 2021 Maintenance performed
Trimmed about 3' all over while dormant but sprouting soon.
tabbycat On August 10, 2020 Transplanted
Found a 6" plant in the west sidewalk bed so it has to be the purple. I've never found 1 before from all the seeds that drop. Put in water & will plant tomorrow in a pot on patio.
tabbycat On March 15, 2020 Plant emerged
Sprouted for 2020
tabbycat On May 18, 2019 Bloomed
1st blooms of 2019. Finished blooming by July 1st.
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