Shoal Creek Chaste Tree (Vitex)

The Shoal Creek Vitex Chaste Tree is a deciduous/semi-evergreen plant and will go dormant during the winter months. When this plant is ordered during the Fall/Winter expect seasonal foliage decline(discoloration, spots, leaf drop) or the plant to arrive completely dormant.

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What to do when a dormant plant arrives:

1. Unpackage on arrival and water
2. Your plant will be ready to be planted in the landscape or in a container on arrival, or if you wish you can keep your new plant in its container until spring that is ok too
   • If planting in the landscape
     • Consider using a root stimulating fertilizer to get your plant working hard establishing its root system during the winter months
     • Use a heavy Layer of mulch to protect the unestablished roots from frost 
3. Dormant plants do require some watering: once a week should be sufficient 
4. When Spring arrives and your plant begins showing signs of new growth increase your watering schedule to 2 times every 7 to ten days until established, then water as needed. Apply a slow-release granular fertilizer to give your plant a great start

The Shoal Creek Vitex Chaste Tree has enough dynamic foliage and bloom interest to go around! Dense violet-purple flower panicles appear in summer and continuously rebloom over a particularly long season. These Vitex blossoms traditionally reach 8-12″ long and put on an impressive display thanks to their vast numbers. Additionally, they feature a pleasant sage-like fragrance as well.

The Shoal Creek brings more than blooms to the table though! Leaves grow in a hand-like pattern and feature 5-7 leaves in each grouping. They sport an attractive bright green shade that is a fantastic backdrop for the characteristic blooms.

The Shoal Creek Vitex is traditionally grown as a shrub in colder environments where it will die back to the ground every winter as a deciduous plant. In these climates expect a mature size of 4-7 feet. Warmer climates will see this Vitex attaining impressive heights and becoming a small tree, traditionally around 12′ H x 12′ W.

This tree is fast-growing, but its rapid growth isn’t sloppy and unpredictable. It tends to grow in multiple trunks with an upright tendency that doesn’t require pruning. Consequently, this is a low-maintenance cultivar.

The fragrant nature of the Shoal Creek Chaste Tree’s blooms attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Therefore, any fan of pollinators will love this tree!

This plant is noted to be deer resistant, and is known to have few insects or diseases that frequently trouble it.

Coastal southerners, especially, will appreciate the Shoal Creek Chaste Tree in their landscape due to its high salt and heat tolerance too. Try planting the Shoal Creek with another coastal favorite, Adagio Miscanthus Grass or Mojo Pittosporum.

Shoal Creek Chaste Tree Care

Hardy from USDA Zones 6-9.

Plant in Full Sun for best results. Less sunlight will reduce the bloom yield.

Water regularly after planting, a few times a week should be sufficient. As a result, this will allow the plant to send roots deeper, which will improve its long-term longevity.

Well-draining, loose soil is ideal for this variety.

Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer to the Shoal Creek Vitex in early spring.

How to Space Your Shoal Creek Chaste Tree 

If you plan to keep your Shoal Creek Chaste Tree pruned plant them 5-6 feet apart. For space between unpruned plantings, plant them 10-12+ feet apart.

Check out a Southern Living article on the Chaste Tree