Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) grows almost anywhere and comes with cooling blue or white flowers.
These plants also produce black fruit the size of a peppercorn.
Shrubs are best planted in the spring to establish their roots before winter dormancy.
Credit:Photo by Steve Bender
This shrub is easy-to-grow but requires pruning as its spreading character makes it invasive if left unchecked.
Chaste trees require full sun exposure and are usually winter-hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 9.
Chaste trees attract all kinds of pollinating insects and birds.
Bumblebees love this plant above all others and will even spend the night on the flowers.
Light
Chaste trees grow best in full sun, at least six hours daily.
This plant will tolerate partial shade but will not flower as heavily.
Soil
Chaste trees thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soils that are well-draining.
Choose a location that does not contain too rich nutrients, preferring dry soils to moist environments.
Chaste trees grow in sandy and rocky regions because it is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
Water
Water deeply into the root ball when first establishing the chaste tree.
Afterward, most chaste trees are drought-tolerant and will not require additional watering.
Avoid organic mulches or rich soil that retains too much moisture.
Temperature and Humidity
Chaste trees tolerate high heat and are cold-hardy to -9F.
Humidity is rarely an issue as it thrives in arid climates.
Strong winds are not too much of a concern.
Fertilizer
Avoid organic material as it retains too much moisture.
Adding a slow-release general-purpose fertilizer every year or two can help keep shrubs healthy.
Too much fertilizer can cause excessive foliage growth.
Types of Chaste Trees
Chaste trees are available in several cultivars.
Selections have a range of colors and sizes, depending on your preferences.
Also, remove messy, twiggy growth that tends to crowd the ends of the branches.
Another option, cut the entire plant to the ground in winter.
It will sprout in spring and bloom in summer, although later than chaste trees not pruned so severely.
Clean up fallen berries to avoid seedlings popping up around your yard.
Propagating Chaste Trees
Chaste trees propagate quickly through cuttings.
Seedlings sprout from fall fruit, so pick them up to prevent unwanted growth or spreading.
Seeds need full sun and moist soil for germination.
After two weeks of care, seedlings will emerge.
Transplant seedlings once it reaches a few inches tall and the threat of the final frost has passed.
When starting seeds indoors, begin about a month before the last frost.
Choose a container with plenty of drainage holes and fill it with potting mix and perlite.
Overwintering
In Southern Zones, Chaste Trees don’t die back to the ground in winter.
They are usually winter-hardy in USDA Zones 6 to 9.
Don’t leave foliage wet.
Soggy conditions promote other fungal infections like root rot and leaf spots.
The spots will form in patches, often with a yellow-edged appearance.
Prevent leaf spots from spreading by removing diseased foliage, raking up fallen leaves, and avoiding wet foliage.
Always water at the plant’s base and use a fungicide if necessary.
Weak foliage turns leaves yellow and causes them to drop.
Remove infested foliage and try using insecticides to prevent spreading.
