Are chaste trees messy

Unfortunately, this tree is fairly messy, shedding all of its leaves in the fall, and dropping old flowers and seeds throughout the year. … Chaste tree is very shrub-like, but can be shaped into a tree form, eventually reaching a mature size of 25 feet tall and wide.

Does a chaste tree loose its leaves in the winter?

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.

Are chaste tree roots invasive?

Like most shrubs, vitex 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.

Do chaste trees lose their leaves?

Chaste trees are deciduous and may lose their leaves in extended cold snaps. However, they will not remain bare for long thanks to a fast growth rate. Harder freezes may result in some dieback and damage, but they will be back. Chaste tree is a non-native species.

How far do chaste tree roots spread?

Where to spread the fertilizer? The root system of a chaste tree might grow 2 to 3 feet deep but the majority of the feeder roots responsible for absorbing nutrients are in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil. Spreading fertilizer on the soil surface is sufficient to reach these feeder roots.

Is chaste tree a lilac?

This season, a blooming tree with pretty lilac flower spikes has been catching our eyes, and we think it’s a gorgeous planting for Southern gardens. Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is also known as Texas lilac tree, Vitex, chasteberry, and Monk’s pepper.

Does chaste tree attract butterflies?

It has sometimes been mistaken for a butterfly bush (Buddleia). This is understandable as both come in similar colors of purple, white, and pink – though the chaste tree can have an almost true blue blossom. Both attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds; both bloom about the same time of the year.

Should you deadhead a chaste tree?

There are several reasons to prune a 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 tall does chaste tree grow?

Chastetree can be grown as a large, deciduous, multistemmed shrub or small, 10 to 15 feet tall tree, and is noteworthy for its showy, summer display (late springtime in the deep South) of fragrant, upwardly- pointing, terminal panicles of lavender blooms which are quite attractive to butterflies and bees (Fig.

Is chaste tree drought tolerant?

Given the paucity of blue- flowered summer-blooming trees and shrubs, it’s a wonder more people aren’t planting chaste trees. These drought-tolerant, pest-free plants combine striking blue or purple, tubular summer blossoms with hand- some leaves shaped like an open hand.

Article first time published on

Are Vitex messy?

Unfortunately, this tree is fairly messy, shedding all of its leaves in the fall, and dropping old flowers and seeds throughout the year. However, its aromatic green leaves and long, profuse bloom period go a long way toward making up for the litter!

What are the side effects of chaste tree?

Chaste tree has no serious side effects. Mild side effects can include nausea, stomach issues, diarrhea, and itchy rash. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use chaste tree. It isn’t known if chaste tree is safe for children.

How quickly do Chaste trees grow?

It freely reseeds and can become weedy. In warmer climates, it can be trained grow as small, single trunk tree or a large shrub. Although typically grown as a 10-15′ shrub, in tree form, it can reach heights of up to 20′. This long-lived specimens rapid growth rate can add up to 24″ per year in height.

Do deer eat chaste trees?

Vitex, our other Superstar, is also known as Texas Lilac or the Chaste tree. … Vitex is a spectacular butterfly–attracting plant, hummingbirds love it, and it’s deer–resistant, although bucks will brush their antlers on its branches if the plant is allowed to grow large.

How long does a chaste tree bloom?

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.

How long does a chaste tree live?

Fast growers grow old fast, too: average life span is 15 to 20 years. Being an average, that means yours might live to 40 or beyond if it is in well-drained soil and you are in a less humid part of Zone 7, 8 or 9. Mild winters, hot summers and dry air are the chaste tree trifecta.

Is chaste tree same as Vitex?

Vitex agnus-castus, also called vitex, chaste tree (or chastetree), chasteberry, Abraham’s balm, lilac chastetree, or monk’s pepper, is a native of the Mediterranean region. It is one of the few temperate-zone species of Vitex, which is on the whole a genus of tropical and sub-tropical flowering plants.

Why is my chaste tree not blooming?

Not Enough Sun The chaste tree blooms best where it receives sunlight all day, every day. If that isn’t possible, it can get by on sun for only half the day, but its blossoming will be less profuse. It is unlikely to flower at all in full shade.

Are Vitex trees invasive?

Vitex is not on the official list of noxious plants/invasive plants published by the Texas Department of Agriculture or by the USDA. Having said this, there is a concern about its weedy nature in certain areas.

Is Vitex and butterfly bush the same?

The Vitex is also known as the Chasteberry, Sage Tree, Monk’s Pepper or Chaste Tree and is similar in looks to Butterfly Bush (Buddleia). It is known to be a hardy woody plant which resists cold, drought, and advances from deer. The long, cone-shaped blooms of the Vitex will add color and texture to your garden.

Should I deadhead Vitex?

A few summer-blooming trees and shrubs can benefit from deadheading. Crape myrtles, vitex and oleander are more likely to produce a second flush of flowers after the first is finished if you are able to trim back the old flowers or developing seed pods. Make your cut just behind a faded cluster or flower spike.

Is there a white chaste tree?

Verbenaceae. An unusually pure white selection of Vitex. Silver Spires produces medium sized spikes of white flowers that are held against the dark blue-green fragrant foliage. … Vitex are great for summer color and their large spikes of colorful flowers attract butterflies and bees.

How do you train a chaste tree?

Pruning: Chaste trees benefit from regular pruning. In winter, clean out the entire center of the tree, removing all side branches from the main four or five trunks. Remove twiggy growth that tends to crowd the ends of the branches. Specimens can also be cut to the ground in winter.

Are Vitex trees poisonous?

Vitex dangers and toxicity Its effect is due to the action of the iridoid glycosides for binding to dopamine receptors, which stimulate the production of luteinizing hormone. … Because of its effects on dopamine levels, people in treatment for depression should consult their doctor before taking this plant.

Do birds like chaste tree?

A few good choices are western redbud (Cercis occidentalis), chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), red-leaf rose (Rosa glauca) and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). Grapes, currants, gooseberries and other water-wise fruit-bearing shrubs and vining plants provide a great food source for many birds.

Do birds eat chaste tree seeds?

Vitex (Vitex angus-castus): Vitex is one of my favorite trees, and I try to incorporate at least one in the gardens I design. It is a small to medium tree that blooms beautiful lavender flowers in May. Those blooms turn into dense seed heads that birds absolutely devour during the winter.

Do hummingbirds like Vitex?

Vitex Chaste tree is an attractive small tree which blooms in dense clusters of fragrant pale purple flowers. Bloom over an extended season during the summer months when little else is flowering and offers hummingbirds food. A great idea for hummingbird and butterfly habitat.

How long does it take a Vitex 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 established.

Does chaste tree make you gain weight?

Vitex agnus-castus fruit is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth appropriately. Uncommon side effects include upset stomach, nausea, itching, rash, headaches, acne, trouble sleeping, and weight gain. Some women notice a change in menstrual flow when they start taking vitex agnus-castus.

Who should take chaste tree?

Chaste tree is used by some women to help with problems related to hormone imbalances. Some women use it to help with signs of premenstrual syndrome like bloating, breast pain, or low mood.

Does chasteberry shorten your period?

3 It is also possible to see some changes in your period when you start taking chasteberry. Because chasteberry can alter progesterone and possibly estrogen levels in your body, women with hormone-related conditions such as breast cancer should not use chasteberry.