The Vitex or the Chaste tree makes a nice large background shrub or can be pruned to a small multiple trunk shade tree. It has a moderate growth habit to 20 feet tall with equal spread. Growth rate and floral display related to moisture availability. Flowers are violet blue plumes to 3 inches long from May to June. During winter, it turns a golden yellow before going dormant. Vitex needs summer heat for best flowering. It is said that Vitex has a long history of medicinal value including discoveries of antioxidant and antidiabetic bioactive compounds.
These flowers are beautiful and attract bees, lots of butterflies and hummingbirds around the nursery.
