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Vitex agnus-castus
Vitex agnus-castus, Chaste Tree, is a small shrubby tree from the Mediterranean with distinctive aromatic palmate foliage and elongated inflorescences of fragrant lavender-coloured flowers. It is one of only two species of the genus - the other being Vitex negundo - that can be grown successfully in cool temperate climates, the others all being tropical or subtropical trees. Another related species, Vitex lucens, grows in New Zealand but only in the warmer north of the country and is frost sensitive.
Vitex agnus-castus is a quick-growing plant and will soon form a bushy shrub. After several years it will benefit from pruning to shape it into a desired form, usually by trimming off lower growth to encourage a taller stem or multiple stems and selectively cutting back cluttered branches to encourage stronger growth.
The small berries have been harvested as a herbal medicine for centuries.
Additional Information
| Order | Lamiales |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Sub-Family | Viticoideae |
| Synonyms | Agnus-castus robusta, Agnus-castus vulgaris, Vitex agnus, Vitex agnus-castus f. albiflora, Vitex agnus-castus var. caerulea, Vitex agnus-castus f. caerulea, Vitex agnus-castus f. laciniosa, Vitex agnus-castus var. laciniosa, Vitex agnus-castus var. latifolia, Vitex agnus-castus var. pseudonegundo, Vitex agnus-castus var. serrata, Vitex hybrida, Vitex integra, Vitex latifolia, Vitex lupinifolia, Vitex pseudonegundo, Vitex robusta, Vitex verticillata |
| Geographical Origin | Mediterranean |
| Cultivation | Warm sheltered aspect. Full sun. Rich well-drained soil. Mulch in winter |
| Eventual Height | 3-5m |
| Eventual Spread | 2-4m |
| Hardiness | Down to about -10C. Usually hardy in the south and southwest of the UK. In colder regions or in extended periods of extreme sub-zero temperatures, it may be cut back by the frosts to the woody growth. Protect the roots with a thick mulch |
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