Chaste Tree
Best low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly landscape color.
Discover the Chaste Tree (_Vitex agnus-castus_), a fast-growing deciduous shrub or small tree that brings vibrant color and fragrance to your garden. Its striking spikes of lavender to purple flowers bloom from summer through early fall, attracting bees and butterflies. Native to the Mediterranean and Asia, this plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent, low-maintenance choice for drought-tolerant landscapes. With its attractive palmate leaves and vase-shaped form, the Chaste Tree offers significant ornamental appeal and is resistant to deer.
$49.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
61
/ 2693
#61 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
+14%
Above average
Container Size
5
/ gallon
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking late-season color and fragrance
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, hardy landscaping
- Eco-conscious gardeners looking to support local pollinators
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in warm climates wanting to avoid invasive spread
- Impatient gardeners who prefer early spring foliage
- Minimalists looking for a zero-maintenance plant
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Attraction
A reliable magnet for local bees and butterflies throughout the season.
Drought Tolerance
Thrives with minimal intervention once the root system is fully established.
Deer Resistance
Provides peace of mind for gardeners in high-traffic wildlife areas.
Bloom Duration
Offers consistent color from mid-summer well into the early autumn months.
Growth Rate
Rapid development makes it ideal for quickly filling empty landscape spaces.
Ornamental Versatility
Elegant vase-shaped form serves beautifully as a focal point or screen.
Key Specs
Container Size
5 gallon
Bloom Color
Lavender, Purple
Bloom Time
Summer, Early Fall
Mature Height
8 to 20 feet
Mature Spread
5 to 20 feet
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Soil Type
Well-drained soil
Plant Type
Shrub or small tree
Features
- Fragrant lavender to purple flower spikes
- Long blooming season from summer to fall
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Deer resistant
- Attractive palmate foliage
- Fast-growing habit
- Vase-shaped ornamental form
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Chaste Tree upon arrival. Reviewers frequently note the plants are robust, well packaged, and significantly larger than anticipated for the price point. This high initial health translates directly into excellent reliability, as the trees establish quickly and show vigorous growth even in challenging climates. The overall sentiment highlights that Holly Days Nursery delivers superior value and healthy stock, making this a highly recommended purchase for gardeners seeking reliable flowering trees.
Know before you buy
Because this plant can reach a mature spread of up to 20 feet, you should space them at least 10 to 15 feet apart if planting in a row. If you prefer a more compact look, you can prune it annually to maintain a smaller size.
Yes, once the root system is fully established, it is quite resilient to dry conditions. However, you should provide regular water during its first year in the ground to help it settle in.
Yes, the Chaste Tree is deciduous, meaning it will drop its leaves in the late fall or winter. It will remain dormant until new growth emerges in the spring.
The most important requirement is that the soil must be well-drained. It does not tolerate 'wet feet' or standing water, so avoid planting it in low-lying areas that stay soggy.
To get the most vibrant blooms, plant your Chaste Tree in a location that receives full sun, ideally at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Pruning in late winter or early spring before new growth appears can also help stimulate more vigorous flowering.
While no plant is completely deer-proof, the Chaste Tree is generally avoided by deer due to its aromatic foliage. It is a reliable choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a common concern.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$50