Vitex, Agnus Castus, Chaste Tree, Lilac Chastetree, Monk's Pepper 'Abbeville Blue'

The Vitex is an excellent source of nectar and pollen for numerous pollinators including honey bees. In the Kansas City area, this tree ...Read Moreblooms in June-July.

Is one of my favorite plant in my garden, within the top 5!!
Here are the reasons:
1) It is simply loved by bee..bumblebee ...Read Moreespecially. It is such a huge reward for me see so many bees flying restlessly around my small tree. A huge plus for me!
2) It is a carefree plant here in middle of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg ,PA, Hardiness zone: 7), establish itself pretty fast, and require very little care.
3)It has a decent growing rate (medium to fast) : to see a abundant bloom display I did not wait for a very long time: I planted (from forest farm) a small specimen 3 feet tall, that bloom a bit the first year.By the end of the second year (2016) it passed easily my 6 feet fence and gave me a wonderful long bloom. However, considering that I have a small garden does not grow in uncontrollable manner: every spring after it wake up from winter I lightly prune to reach a manageable size (around 6 feet tall X 4-5 feet wide).
4)Beautiful flower display: the violet abundant spire are simply amazing!The bloom last at least a couple of months in my experience (July to September)
5) Bloom on new wood: absolutely a plus, considering that late frost will not interfere with its bloom capability.
Here are some additional information:
a) Do not be scared if it does not emerge immediately, especially the first year after transplanting. This plat take its time to emerge in spring.
b) I fertilize a couple of times during the period from May-June. It seems help to increase its bloom capability.
c) For best display plant in full sun (it is a sun-lover plant).
d) The plant does not self seed easily: although produce quite bit of seeds, in my experience has never self sowed (unfortunately..I would have loved a couple of more plants!!)

Valued for its lavender-violet flowers in late summer. There are white and pinkish forms, but I much prefer the violet cultivars like 'Le...Read MoreCompte' and 'Montrose Purple'.

I've seen several plants here in Z6a that have been reliably wood-hardy. Responds well to hard pruning in spring. Very late to leaf out in spring, and blooms here in late summer.

In Z5 where topgrowth may be killed to the ground, it can be treated like a buddleia or a herbaceous perennial and cut to near the ground in spring. This does not impair flowering, which occurs on new growth. Vitex should be planted in spring, especially towards its northern limit of hardiness.

Reliable sources state that this plant is deer-resistant, as might be expected of a plant with fragrant foliage.

This species has naturalized throughout the southern US, but there is no published evidence that it's ecologically invasive.

this is a big favorite of mine. they grow very, very quickly...from a newly planted 4" pot in spring to 5' tall by summer's end. they h...Read Moreave an erratic growing form (going every which way) and although it is possible to train them into a standard, it takes work. i have them bush form and tree form. they are drought tolerant although they do better with regular summer waterings. they are pest and disease free and the bees absolutely adore them. they bloom all summer for me too. full sun or part to mostly shade, they adapt. all in all, i can suggest this plant without reservation to anyone looking for a hardy garden plant, especially in the south where growing conditions are sometimes difficult.

i get mine from bluestone perennials. they are ultra cheap and grow so fast that you'll get your money's worth the first season.