CHASTE TREE SEEDS 

(Vitex agnus-castus) 

Monks Pepper Fast Hardy Lilac Flower

Chastetree is Resistant to Damage by Deer and is Moderately Salt Tolerant. The Fragrant Flowers Attract Butterflies, Bees, and Other Pollinating Insects. The Violet, 3- to-6 Inch Lilac Flowers (Loosely Branched Flower Clusters) are Produced on New Growth. They Begin to Bloom in June and Continue until September. Removing Old Blooms Will Encourage New Growth with a Repeat bloom in about 6 Weeks Time. The Smooth, Greyish-Tan Bark of a Young Chaste Tree will Become a Fissured Dark grey as the Tree Matures.

Grown as perennial, chaste trees tolerate high heat and are cold-hardy to -9°F. Chaste tree shrubs go dormant throughout the winter and regrow in the spring. Humidity is rarely an issue as it thrives in arid climates. Strong winds are not too much of a concern. Chaste Tree prefers full sun to partial shade, flourishing in a range of climates from Mediterranean zones to more temperate regions. While it tolerates a range of soil types, soggy conditions should be avoided to prevent problems like root rot. The root ball of this small tree or shrub thrives best in soil that maintains moisture yet drains excess water efficiently. 

Chaste Germination:

1) Scarify the seeds lightly with sandpaper.

2) Let them soak 24 hours in warm water. Using a thermos will help greatly.

3) Cold stratify by placing in a zip lock bag with moist perlite or vermiculite, and place in the fridge for 90 days. Place a few small holes to allow for air circulation and periodically check to ensure they stay "slightly moist", but never wet.

4) Use a heated propagator mat to keep the soil around 75 degrees F., and plant the seeds no more than 1/16" of an inch deep.

5) Keep slightly moist and expect germination to occur within 2-3 weeks.