Vitex agnus-castus

Northwest corner of Robbins Annex

The chaste tree is a small tree with showy flower spikes. The flowers appear in the spring and summer and attract butterflies.


Botanical Name: Vitex agnus-castus
Common Name: chaste tree
Location: Northwest corner of Robbins Annex
Family: Verbenaceae
Sunset Zones: 4-24, H1, H2
Native Range: Southern Europe and western Asia
Habitat: Will tolerate dry conditions, but will perform well with light water and fertilizer. Moderately frost hardy.
General Habit: Deciduous tree or large shrub, grows to 20 ft. tall. Usually multi-stemmed.
Notes: Flowers are of special interest: 6-7 in. spikes of fragrant lavender flowers appear in spring. Good specimen plant; sometimes confused with butterfly bush. Leaves have medicinal use, also known as the "woman's herb". Attracts bees.