Vitex agnus-castus - Chaste tree
Family Verbenaceae
Description:
Over 200 species of Vitex range around the world. Besides the use of a few species as garden ornamentals, some are used as spices, basketry materials, and timber. The chaste tree is native to southern Europe. Leaves are dissected into five segments and are gray below. Small flowers are held in dense spikes at branch tips. They may be purple-blue, pink or white in color and are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The chaste tree is deciduous in winter.
Location:
See these plants north of parking garage 38.
Size:
Large shrub or a small tree capable of reaching about twelve feet tall. It is easily trimmed up to a tree shape.
Care Instructions:
Light: full sun to part shade
Water: average water requirements, tolerates drought
Soil: very adaptable provided the soil is not wet
This is a familiar garden plant through much of the southeastern United States but it is not common in the Jacksonville area. It is a reliable shrub or small tree in hot, sunny locations. If the old flower spikes are removed before seeds mature, the plant will flower in early summer and again in late summer.