This tree can be messy and shed leaves or evergreen (will not shed leaves) depending on the climate and atmosphere you provide. It is rare to see these trees not giving shade, though. 2. Chaste Tree
Vitex
Vitex is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. It has about 250 species. Common names include "chaste tree" or "chastetree", traditionally referring to V. agnus-castus but often applied to other species as well.
What does a chaste tree look like?
The flowers cluster together on spikes up to 6 inches long. The flowers emerge on new growth, so pruning won't end flowering. Besides its attractive flowers, the chaste tree also offers fragrance. The leaves smell like sage to some, and when crushed, smell peppery. Following the flowers, fruits look something like peppercorns.
Is it worth planting a chaste tree?
Any shrub or tree that blooms all summer is well worth planting, but when it also has pleasantly fragrant flowers and foliage, it becomes a must-have plant. Chaste tree garden care is easy, but there are a few care essentials you need to know to get the most from this outstanding plant.
What is a chaste tree used for?
Many southerners use it as a replacement for lilacs, which don’t tolerate hot summers. Chaste trees, which are considered shrubs or small trees, grow 15 to 20 feet (5-6 m.) tall with a spread of 10 to 15 feet (3-5 m.). It attracts butterflies and bees, and it makes an excellent honey plant.
Do chastetree trees die back?
In organic, mucky, or moist soils chastetree can suffer from dieback and root rot. It has no major pest concerns and, aside from leaf spot, suffers from no common plant diseases. Chastetree is a non-native species but is not considered invasive by the UF/IFAS assessment of non-native plants.
Are chaste tree roots invasive?
Vitex agnus-castus is showing invasive tendencies in areas where it has been planted extensively in landscaping, as in Texas. It can now be found in limestone outcrops and dry creek beds throughout Central Texas.
Where should I plant a chaste tree?
Chaste trees grow and flower best in full sun. A little shade is tolerated, however the best flowering occurs with at least 6 hours or more of direct sunlight per day. The more sun the better!
Do chaste trees drop their leaves?
Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a deciduous (loses its leaves in the fall), multi-trunked shrub or small tree native to southern Europe and western Asia. It is an excellent selection for southern landscapes in USDA zones 7 to 9 but will have cold damage or be killed to the ground in USDA zones 6 and colder.
Can you keep chaste tree small?
Extensive, heavy pruning to reduce the size of a chaste tree should be done in late winter, before new growth has begun to emerge. At this time, you can cut branches to a desired length or to a point where they intersect another branch. If you are just shortening a branch, cut just above a twig or bud.
What is the lifespan of a chaste tree?
15 to 20 yearsAdd the fact that it blooms on new growth, so it flowers reliably every year, and the chaste tree sounds just about perfect. The downside? Fast growers grow old fast, too: average life span is 15 to 20 years.
Do hummingbirds like chaste tree?
Because they bloom late in the season, chaste trees are great bee forage plants that provide nectar when other trees are not in bloom. Besides bees, they are a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies.
Do you cut back chaste tree?
0:295:00How to Prune Vitex or Chaste Tree - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you'll really enjoy it as you can see the vitex kind of grows like a shrub or a bush a reallyMoreAnd you'll really enjoy it as you can see the vitex kind of grows like a shrub or a bush a really large bush. There's a lot of lower foliage or branches that come off the way i like to trim mine is is
What does chaste tree smell like?
The chaste tree leaves have a palmate pattern with five to seven lance-shaped leaflets emanating from a single point, while the butterfly bush has opposite leaves. Both are aromatic, though the butterfly bush has a sweeter smell, and the scent of the chaste tree is more like sage.
Is a chaste tree fast growing?
Like most shrubs, chaste tree is best planted in the spring to give it plenty of time to establish roots before winter dormancy. It is a fast-growing shrub that can shoot up as much as 7 feet in a single season, but most gardeners opt to keep this potentially invasive plant to 10 feet or less in height.
Should I deadhead my chaste tree?
You can also control the shape by chaste tree trimming. Carefully placed cuts can encourage the shrub to put on new growth. Another type of pruning, called deadheading, is important to keep chaste trees blooming all summer.
How do you keep a chaste tree blooming?
As 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. You can also force a second bloom in summer by removing the first flush of blooms as soon as they fade.
Is a vitex tree the same as a chaste tree?
Vitex agnus-castus, commonly called chaste tree, is typically grown in warm winter climates as a vase-shaped, deciduous shrub (to 10-15′ tall) or trained as a single trunk tree to 20′ tall. In cold winter areas in USDA Zones 5-6, it is more often grown as a 3-5′ tall herbaceous perennial.
Is a chaste tree fast growing?
Like most shrubs, chaste tree is best planted in the spring to give it plenty of time to establish roots before winter dormancy. It is a fast-growing shrub that can shoot up as much as 7 feet in a single season, but most gardeners opt to keep this potentially invasive plant to 10 feet or less in height.
How long does it take for a chaste tree to grow?
Also called the Chaste tree, Chasteberry, and Lilac Chaste Berry. It will eventually reach about 15-20ft. tall and wide sometimes taller after 30 years. A low water tree once it is well established.
How do you keep a chaste tree blooming?
As 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. You can also force a second bloom in summer by removing the first flush of blooms as soon as they fade.
Is chaste tree same as butterfly bush?
The chaste tree leaves have a palmate pattern with five to seven lance-shaped leaflets emanating from a single point, while the butterfly bush has opposite leaves. Both are aromatic, though the butterfly bush has a sweeter smell, and the scent of the chaste tree is more like sage.
How tall does Vitex agnus castus grow?
It is a fast-growing shrub that can shoot up as much as 7 feet in a single season, but most gardeners opt to keep this potentially invasive plant to 10 feet or less in height. Botanical Name. Vitex agnus-castus. Common Name. Chaste tree, lilac chaste tree, chasteberry, vitex. Plant Type. Deciduous shrub. Mature Size. 8-10 ft. tall; 5-8 ft. spread.
What is a Vitex plant?
Vitex ( Vitex agnus-castus) is a deciduous shrub that bears clusters of purple flowers in the summer. The leaves of the vitex are reminiscent of the marijuana plant ( Cannabis sativa ), with five leaflets in a palm-shaped arrangement. The leaves have a fragrance similar to that of the herb sage. The purple flower clusters (called panicles) look like those of the butterfly bush ( Buddleja spp .) The black fruit contains four seeds that look like peppercorns and are sometimes used to flavor food.
What are the problems with Vitex agnus castus?
Usually, the only problems you see on Vitex agnus-castus are root rots, nematodes, and leaf spots, though these are not common. Problems usually occur when the soil is not dry enough. Aphids, whiteflies, and scales may also attack, but they are usually easily controlled with horticultural soaps and oils.
How long can you keep Vitex in a pot?
Growing a smaller cultivar of vitex in a pot is easy. Smaller cultivars grow only 3 to 6 feet. You can keep the tree in the same pot for a few years before any repotting is necessary. Follow these simple steps:
How tall does Vitex grow?
Left unpruned, vitex can become a sprawling, vase-shaped shrub that grows to 20 feet tall with a spread equally as wide. It is sometimes trained as a single-trunk small tree.
How to grow Vitex from cuttings?
As you might expect with such an easy-to-grow plant, Vitex roots quite easily. Clip off a 12- to 18-inch branch tip. Cut off the flowering end portion. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. Put the cutting into a vase of water, and set it in a location that receives morning sun but afternoon shade .
How to propagate Vitex?
The easiest way to propagate a vitex plant is by rooting some branch cuttings. As you might expect with such an easy-to-grow plant, Vitex roots quite easily.
Why do chaste trees freeze?
Chaste trees freeze and die back to ground level during severe weather. This isn’t a cause for concern because they regrow quickly from the roots. Nurseries sometimes prune the plant into a small tree by removing some of the main stems and all of the lower branches; but when it regrows, it will be a multi-stemmed shrub.
When does Vitex bloom?
Printer Friendly Version. Image by seven75. Vitex (chaste tree, Vitex agnus-castus) blooms from late spring until early fall with long, upright spikes of pink, lilac, and white flowers. Any shrub or tree that blooms all summer is well worth planting, but when it also has pleasantly fragrant flowers and foliage, it becomes a must-have plant.
Where does the chaste tree come from?
The chaste tree is a native of China, but it has a long history in the U.S. It was first cultivated in 1670, and since that time it has become naturalized throughout the southern part of the country. Many southerners use it as a replacement for lilacs, which don’t tolerate hot summers.
Do you have to water a chaste tree?
Once established, you’ll probably never have to water a chaste tree. Inorganic mulch, such as pebbles or stones, allows the soil to dry between rains. Avoid using organic mulches such as bark, shredded wood, or straw. Fertilize the plant every year or two with general-purpose fertilizer .
Can you plant chaste trees in Xeric?
Chaste trees do very well in xeric gardens where water is scarce. Once established, you’ll probably never have to water a chaste tree.
How big does a chastetree get in Florida?
Be sure to leave it room to grow, since this vase-shaped plant can reach 10 to 15 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide. Plants develop low, drooping branches when left unpruned. If you have a specific shape in mind, some pruning may be necessary.
What color are chastetree leaves?
Chastetree features sage-scented gray-green leaves. These soft colors make it a good background for other, brighter landscape plants. It can be planted wherever a smaller tree might enhance the landscape, even in a planter! The compound leaves and gray bark also make this plant a beautiful addition to a shrubbery border.
Does Chastetree grow in dry soil?
In your landscape this plant will grow best in loose, well-drained soil that is a bit on the dry side. In organic, mucky, or moist soils chastetree can suffer from dieback and root rot. It has no major pest concerns and, aside from leaf spot, suffers from no common plant diseases.
Is a chastetree tree deciduous?
Chastetree is deciduous and may lose its leaves after a cold frost. This should not worry gardeners. It will not remain bare for long, thanks to a fast growth rate. Harder freezes may result in some dieback and damage but thankfully for gardeners from Pensacola to Miami this plant is cold-hardy in zones 7b-11. These trees are also highly drought tolerant once they've adjusted to their new location and are also fairly tolerant of salt spray.
Why did women keep the branches of the tree under their beds?
He notes that women in Athens kept branches of the tree under their beds during the feast of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility. These young women believe the leaves of the plant would help them remain pure, thus the "chastetree".
Where did the name Chastetree come from?
The curious name, "chastetree" finds its roots in a Roman book, Naturalis Historia. This early natural history text was written in the first century AD. The author was Pliny the Elder, a noted naturalist, writer, and military commander of the early Roman empire. He notes that women in Athens kept branches of the tree under their beds during the feast of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility. These young women believe the leaves of the plant would help them remain pure, thus the "chastetree". Pliny also notes the origin of another of this plant's names: vitex. The name vitex comes from the Latin vieo, meaning to weave. Pliny believed this name was connected to the tree's use in Roman basket weaving.
How big do chastetrees get?
Depending on the variety, the mature size of a chastetree can range from 3 to 20 feet tall and wide . The larger varieties are fast growers and may be grown as a large, vase-shaped shrub or trained into a small tree.
Why is chastetree planted?
In fact, it is often planted in areas to promote honey production. Due to the chastetree’s interesting foliage and late summer flowers, it can be used in shrub borders, cottage or butterfly gardens, or as a small tree.
How to contact HGIC?
If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at [email protected] or 1-888-656-9988.
Where is Chastetree native to?
Chastetree ( Vitex agnus-castus) is a deciduous (loses its leaves in the fall), multi-trunked shrub or small tree that is native to southern Europe and western Asia. It is an excellent selection for southern landscapes in USDA zones 7-9, but will have cold damage or be killed to the ground in USDA zones 6 and colder.
When do chastetrees bloom?
They begin to bloom in June and continue until September.
How big does a blue puffball grow?
Blue Puffball™ (´PIIVAC-II´ PP26775): This compact cultivar grows 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide and is resistant to leaf spot. The flower panicles are deep blue. It was introduced by First Editions® in 2016.
How tall does Rosa Ann grow?
The foliage is more refined, and the plant will grow 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. ´Rosa Ann´: This variety will reach a height of 8 to 15 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. The fragrant flower spikes are pink.
How Clean Are Sweet Gum Trees?
Although this tree is exquisite to look at, it comes with a price. This tree produces a massive mess for you to clean up.
Why Are Cottonwood Trees Bad?
Cottonwood trees are a member of the deciduous family. They can grow between 50 to 80 feet tall.
Why Are Hackberry Trees Bad For Your Yard?
This tree produces fruits that are typically consumed by wildlife (bird cherry.)
Are Red Oak Trees Messy?
These trees are in the oak family, and oak trees are, by nature, dirty trees. Everything they do makes a mess.
What Can I Do With Tree Droppings?
So, what if you already have some of these trees that constantly drop things into your yard? Well, here’s a few simple tips.
Why do ginkgo trees stink?
The female Ginkgo tree produces seeds. These seeds are covered in flesh and once they mature, they stink. Often this smell is described as having an odor similar to vomit. The cause of this is butanoic acid. Male ginkgo trees can actually turn into female trees on their own and produce seeds regardless!
Why are pecan trees messy?
Pecan trees can be messy trees to cultivate. This is because of the nuts that fall every year in the fall. When they drop these nuts, they can leave your yard in shambles.
What color are Vitex agnus castus flowers?
These scented flowers give off distinct peppery aromas. The most common color of Vitex agnus-castus flowers is bluish-purple or light lavender. However, some vitex plants bloom with pink or white flowers. For example, the ‘Silver Spire’ chaste tree has flowering spikes of white flower clusters.
What are the flowers on a chaste tree?
Chaste trees produce spikes of fragrant lilac, white, pink, or lavender flowers when they bloom in late summer. Vitex tree flowers grow in slender, conical flowering spikes called panicles. The clusters of tiny pastel-colored flowers are small tube-like flowers called corollas. These scented flowers give off distinct peppery aromas.
How many leaves does Vitex have?
Vitex tree leaves are aromatic palmate compound leaves, each containing five to seven leaflets. The long vitex leaflets grow oppositely on the stems. Vitex has lance-shaped leaves that can grow between 6” and 8” (15 – 20 cm) long. The foliage color is gray-green on the upper side and gray on the underside.
What does chaste tree give off?
Crushing chaste tree leaves releases aromatic essential oils. Some people say that Vitex agnus-castus leaves give off a strong earthy scent with an aroma reminiscent of sage.
What do vitex leaves look like?
Looking at pictures of vitex tree leaves, you’ll notice that they resemble cannabis plants. The palmate leaves with long pointed leaflets are one reason why vitex trees also have the name hemp trees.
What is a Vitex tree?
Vitex Trees (Chaste Trees): Types, Flowers, Leaves, Care (Pictures) Vitex tree (also named chaste tree) is a large type of shrub or small tree with attractive spikes of lavender-colored flowers that bloom in summer. Vitex shrubs and trees are commonly called the chaste tree, chasteberry, monk’s pepper, or simply vitex.
How tall does a peacock chaste tree grow?
After the tree finishes blooming, clusters of small black berry-like drupes appear. The Vitex altissima tree grows between 40 and 65 ft. (12 – 20 m) tall.
