Vitex agnus-castus it is a shrub native in South Europe from Mediteranean area.

Common Names: Agnus Castus, Chaste-tree, Chaste-berry, Monk's Pepper.

Some photos of one grown in Beeville, Tx. Photos taken in May, 2011.

Growth habit:





Flower:






Leaf




Bark



Notice:

1. On the other shrub, I seen and flowers with a general shape a little different



2. I read that the color range can be from violet to blue, or deep purple. I found mentioned and a form with white flowers.

3. Problems or perhaps some dried flowers need to be removed? (not very much like this, just a few)



4. Attracts bees, bumble bees, butterflies and hummingbirds



I could not photograph hummingbirds, but I have seen. They came very close to me while photograph flowers , but did not want to stay available to the photographer.

Hi Justin, your photo documentation is fantastic. I took a look in the database and noticed there are a few blue cultivars. Do you happen to know which one this is? If so, you should post them in the DB.

Speaking of Hummingbirds, I'm yet to have one cooperate to the extent I could get a good photo.

Awesome photos Justin. One of my favorite shrubs. Some day I hope to have one growing in my yard.

I agree with Evan. If you know which one it is, those photos would be awesome in the database. http://garden.org/plants/brows...

Interesting had to look at this tree, does any one know why it is called Chaste Tree? Beautiful tree, will have to find this one.
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb...
http://abchomeopathy.com/r.php...
I make use of it so its fun to know what it looks like.
Regards,
Arif.

It appears Roman wives and Middle Age(s) monks had similar aims??
http://health.howstuffworks.co...

. It stands true even today, the monks part
Regards,
Arif.

I just planted a few seeds. Waiting for germination.
Do these trees look messy? Like... without trimming do they grow long slender branches?
I like the blooms, but I'd like to also enjoy the shape of it.
Oh well... I have just sown the seeds!

There are white and pink varieties also. I grow blue, white and pink. Vitex is not completely hardy here, so they are more like a large shrub. I do cut the blooms so the bloom season lasts longer and they get a bit bushier.
Since they emerge so late in the spring, they're not as desirable up here as they are just a few hours south. Very few nurseries carry them, but I think they make a beautiful xeric shrub.
edit: I'll post photos when mine bloom!

Really Cindi?
You mean they freeze to the ground and emerge each spring?
That's like my Hibiscus moscheutos...
Xeric is good... our summers tend to be more and more DRY.
Not too long before each garden has a hardy Agave

My hardy agave rotted this winter in our unusual snow!
Most years, the vitex do not freeze quite to the ground, but more like halfway down the stem. Our hibiscus do freeze to the ground.
Our summers are hot, dry and WINDY! I'm enjoying this crazy spring. We had snow this morning, latest snow EVER.

Well, considering my Vitex are still in the sleeping-seed stage, if I plant them out this year, they may be too young to withstand the winter. Maybe keep a few in pots until next spring. IF they germinate :)
I had an Agave neo-mexicana in the garden, a real small one, but it SURVIVED two winters back. It looked bad, though.
SO I dug it up, and all roots were gone. I potted it nicely and had it inside.
At least I know it's hardy if kept dry. I will plant it out and try to keep it dry in winter. In summer no problem... I may even have to water it

I love these trees, but they are messy. All those blooms form 'peppercorns', ergo the nickname "Monk's Pepper". The leaves smell wonderful when brushed against, even better after a rain and the seeds smell good and make a good tea. The tree does need pruning every year; branches die off, usually near the end of larger branches. And it will send up suckers that, unless cut back, will interfere with the structure of the tree. (It is usually multi-trunked.) This photo is of one I planted a few years back and is now twice that size.

Hmmm, my seeds are still yet to germinate.
I think I overwatered the pot!
:(

I love vitex! I am really trying to find a sunny spot for one in my shady yard.