Vitex agnus-castus
Chaste berry, Abraham's balm, Monk's pepper tree
- Height × spread
- 4m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This many stemmed shrub has an aromatic, pungent odour. The flowering racemes have a violet like fragrance. They are coloured lilac and come in September and October. The plant has handsome smooth green leaves, broadly linear and grey felted on their under sides. The leaves take on purple and bronzed tints in autumn. It needs good summer weather to perform well and in Britain and Ireland; good soil helps though it is happy in poor arid conditions in its native lands. The plant was considered to be a symbol of chastity in ancient Greece. More recently the seeds have been considered to have anti-aphrodisiac qualities. Others consider the pungent aroma of the foliage to be peculiarly stimulating.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Purple-bronze
- Stem colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 4m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Flowers in
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural
- Walls
- South facing
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Skin irritant
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early · Planting
Prune hard to the base
Prune back to within 30cm to 45cm of the plant base so that the year's growth will begin from this low framework. If you want the plant to grow larger, this need only be done every few years.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.