Shoal Creek Chaste Tree
Lavender blooms all summer on a drought-tolerant shrub
About Shoal Creek Chaste Tree
Shoal Creek chaste tree grows as a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching 10 to 15 feet tall, producing tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers from late spring through summer. The naturally aromatic foliage attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Exceptionally drought tolerant and deer resistant, it thrives in full sun across zones 6 through 9.
This site covers what you need to know about growing Shoal Creek chaste tree from planting through the years. Topics include selecting a suitable site, setting up watering and feeding schedules, pruning to encourage blooms, and managing common problems. You'll find practical information for starting with young plants as well as caring for established trees.
Buy Shoal Creek Chaste Tree
Nursery-grown plants shipped in their container, with our planting and care guides to go with them.
From $49.49
Sizes: QT Container 6-8 Inches Shrub Form, 1 Gallon Container 10-12 Inches Shrub Form, 2 Gallon Container 1-2 Feet Shrub Form, 3 Gallon Container 2-3 Feet Shrub Form, 3 Gallon Container 3-4 Feet Shrub Form
Shop Shoal Creek Chaste TreeQuick facts
- USDA zones
- 6-9 (root-hardy into zone 5 in some reports, dying back to the ground and resprouting)
- Mature height
- 10-15 ft (occasionally to 20 ft in ideal conditions/warmer zones)
- Mature width
- 10-15 ft, often as wide as tall
- Sun
- full sun (6+ hours); flowering and form decline noticeably in part shade
- Water
- low to moderate once established; regular water while young
- Bloom time
- late spring into summer, typically May-September, with rebloom flushes if spent panicles a
- Bloom color
- lavender-blue to violet-blue; 'Shoal Creek' is noted for larger flower panicles than the s
- Growth rate
- fast, roughly 2-3 ft per year until mature size is reached
- Deer resistance
- high, generally considered deer resistant due to aromatic foliage
- Plant type
- deciduous large shrub / small ornamental tree
- Deciduous small tree/shrub with fragrant lavender-blue flower spikes from late spring through summer
- 'Shoal Creek' is prized for larger, showier flower panicles than the straight species
- Extremely drought tolerant once established and thrives in full sun
- Blooms on new wood, so hard pruning in late winter boosts flowering
- Deer resistant thanks to aromatic, sage-scented foliage
- Hardy in USDA zones 6-9; may die back and resprout in colder zone 5-6 winters
- A magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Can self-seed and is considered weedy or potentially invasive in parts of the southeastern US
Growing guides
Core guideShoal Creek Chaste Tree Care: The Complete Growing Guide
Learn how to grow Shoal Creek Chaste Tree with this complete care guide. Planting tips, pruning, watering, and blooming advice for Vitex agn
Core guideHow to Plant a Shoal Creek Chaste Tree the Right Way
Learn how to plant a Shoal Creek Chaste Tree properly, from site selection to watering. Complete step-by-step planting guide for zones 6-9.
Core guidePruning Shoal Creek Chaste Tree for Bigger Blooms
Learn how to prune Shoal Creek Chaste Tree for bigger blooms. Step-by-step timing, techniques, and deadheading tips from an experienced grow
Core guideShoal Creek Chaste Tree Hardiness Zones: Where It Thrives
Shoal Creek Chaste Tree hardiness: USDA zones 6-9 guide. Learn where vitex agnus-castus thrives, cold hardiness limits, and zone 5 survival
Core guideBuying a Shoal Creek Chaste Tree: Container Sizes to Know
Buy Shoal Creek Chaste Tree by container size. Learn what to look for at the nursery, quality indicators, and where to buy Shoal Creek Vitex
Plant specificWhy Is My Shoal Creek Chaste Tree Not Blooming?
Why won't your Shoal Creek Chaste Tree bloom? Troubleshoot the five main causes—sun, pruning, drainage, fertilizer, and pests—with step-by-s
Core guideSun Requirements for Shoal Creek Chaste Tree Success
Learn how much sun Shoal Creek Chaste Tree needs to thrive. Full sun requirements, shade troubleshooting, and site assessment guide.
Core guideWatering Shoal Creek Chaste Tree: Establishment to Maturity
Water Shoal Creek Chaste Tree regularly during establishment, then taper off. Learn the signs of overwatering, drought recovery, and irrigat
Core guideBest Soil for Shoal Creek Chaste Tree: pH and Drainage
Learn the ideal soil pH (6.0–8.0) and drainage for Shoal Creek Chaste Tree, plus step-by-step soil amendment instructions for healthy roots
Core guideHow Big Does a Shoal Creek Chaste Tree Really Get?
How tall and wide does Shoal Creek Chaste Tree get? Learn mature sizes, growth rates, spacing needs, and regional variations.
Core guide7 Common Shoal Creek Chaste Tree Pests and Diseases
7 common shoal creek chaste tree pests and diseases: spider mites, whiteflies, root rot, and more. Learn how to identify vitex problems and
Core guide10 Landscape Design Ideas for Shoal Creek Chaste Tree
10 landscape design ideas for Shoal Creek Chaste Tree: specimen planting, pollinator gardens, hedges, companion plants, and xeriscape uses.
Shoal Creek Chaste Tree questions
How fast does Shoal Creek Chaste Tree grow?
It is a fast grower, typically adding 2-3 feet per year until it reaches its mature height of about 10-15 feet.
Does it need full sun?
Yes, it flowers best and holds a fuller form in full sun; part shade leads to sparser blooms and legginess.
When should I prune it?
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts, since flowers form on new wood; you can cut it back fairly hard each year to control size and maximize blooming.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, its aromatic foliage generally makes it unattractive to deer.
Can it be grown in a container?
Young plants (like the quart-container form) do well in pots for a season or two, but the shrub's mature 10-15 ft size makes it best suited to being planted in the ground long-term.
Is Shoal Creek Chaste Tree invasive?
The species can self-seed and has naturalized in parts of the southeastern US, so it's worth checking local/state invasive plant guidance before planting, especially near natural areas.