Vitex Agnus Castus

🌿Plant Care Guide

📝 Description

Vitex Agnus Castus, chaste tree, chasteberry or monk’s pepper. Vitex Agnus Castus is native to the mediterranean region, but meanwhile Vitex Agnus Castus can be found in warm and subtropical climates extending as far as southwest asia. The shrub or small multi branched tree grows between 1 and 3 metres high. The leaves are long stemmed and palmate, but the five leaves are separate. Flowering is from june to november. The inflorescences are branched and spike like, with long stamens. The single fragrant flowers are pale blue violet, while the fruits are fleshy reddish black salal. In former times, Vitex Agnus Castus fruits were used as an alternative to pepper. Vitex requires full sun or partial shade; it loves moist soil and can stand high salinity. It can often be found next to rivers in the whole area of its distribution. The vitex can stand light frost. It can very often be seen in gulf regions, where it withstands the harsh conditions.However, it should not be excessively pruned; occasionally is enough. For landscape design purposes in gulf regions, it can be recommended as a specimen, dominant plant, grouped or massed planting, and as a hedge. The bee attracting plant can be recommended for parks, public open spaces, street planting, pedestrian precincts, as shelter, for noise protection and as a screen.