Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) is an 8–10-20-foot deciduous shrub or tree form. Branching habit is dense and vase-shaped (upright). Without question, ‘Shoal Creek’ is a very popular Vitex variety that measures around 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide (USDA hardiness zone 6 – 8). So… so many varieties that grow large and should not be planted in small gardens. Read further!

Vitex blooms off and on through much of the summer –June thru late August. Its 12-18 inch long blue-violet flower spikes and leaves emit a pleasant, sweet fragrance. From personal observations, cold hardiness of some varieties is better than others. The May-June palmately compound foliage has a pleasant dusty bluish cast and summer foliage color is grayish green. Pointed finger-like leaflets are dusty on the surface with pubescent hairs. Its disease resistant foliage and butterfly/bee magnetism rates chaste tree in a class on its own. Foliage is highly deer resistant.

Vitex prefers full sun but will tolerate part sun (with lower flower count). Plant in loose, well-drained soil and keep adequately watered during the first year. Vitex adapts to problem soils and demonstrates exceptional drought tolerance.

Following is a list of dwarf Vitex shrub forms:

• Blue Diddley^®– Blue summer flowers on a compact plant (3-6′ high and wide).
• Blue Puffball™ – 3- 6′ shrub; 4-5″ blue flower spikes.
• Delta’s Blues™ – 8-10′ tall and wide shrub with glossy green foliage and rich blue green foliage.
• Featherman^® – sterile flowers, compact grower (3-5′ tall x 2-3′ wide), ideal for containers. (z 5b-9).
• ‘Galactic Pink’ – 6-8′ high and wide shrub; pink flowers from June to October; dark green foliage. 
• ‘Pink Sensation’ – 10′ high x 15′ wide with pink flowers in early summer.
• Rock Steady^®– 4-12′ height x 4-6′ wide; light purple blooms.
• ‘Salina’s Pink’ – 15′ high and wide with pink flowers emerge in summer and fall.

Chaste tree is undergoing a renaissance of sorts with new cultivars coming to market at garden centers and e-commerce nurseries.