Vitex, Agnus Castus, Chaste Tree, Lilac Chastetree, Monk's Pepper 'Shoal Creek'

Vitexagnus-castus

Family
Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Vitex (VY-teks)
Species
agnus-castus (AG-nus KAS-tus)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Deciduous
Shiny/Glossy
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Lavender
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Perennials
Shrubs
Trees
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; direct sow after last frost
By simple layering
By stooling or mound layering
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Calera, Alabama

Phenix City, Alabama

Maricopa, Arizona

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Deltona, Florida

Dunnellon, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Lecanto, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Trenton, Florida

Cordele, Georgia

Richmond Hill, Georgia

Townsend, Georgia

Derby, Kansas

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

Gonzales, Louisiana(2 reports)

Hammond, Louisiana

Monroe, Louisiana

Walker, Louisiana

Youngsville, Louisiana

Muskegon, Michigan

Kirtland, New Mexico

Los Lunas, New Mexico

Germanton, North Carolina

Hayesville, North Carolina

Salina, Oklahoma

Charleston, South Carolina

Summerville, South Carolina

Austin, Texas(2 reports)

Corpus Christi, Texas(2 reports)

Dallas, Texas

Desoto, Texas

Elgin, Texas

Frisco, Texas

Grand Prairie, Texas

Houston, Texas

Irving, Texas

Jacksonville, Texas

Port Arthur, Texas

Richmond, Texas

Temple, Texas

Alexandria, Virginia

Norfolk, Virginia

Sandyville, West Virginia

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

4
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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V
(Zone 8a) | July 2015 | positive

Planted in fall 2014, amended clay soil, brutal afternoon sun, access to sprinkler. It has done well and it hasn't been too much of a pa...Read More

K
Muskegon, MI | May 2009 | positive

I bought this plant last fall. I saw it growing at a local tree farm and it was beautiful. They said they always cut it back to the gro...Read More

K
(Zone 10a) | March 2008 | positive

Love it!! I planted it in full sun in late winter while it was dormant and only about a foot high and this summer it shot up to about 5' ...Read More

S
S
(Zone 7b) | October 2007 | positive

Shoal Creek is a hybrid, and may not come true from seed. Tends to be more showy than open pollinated cultivars, with longer bloom spike...Read More

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