Chaste
Tree
Agnus-castus
Mature
Height: 20 ft.
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Requirements: Full sun
Foliage: Deciduous, 2"-5" long narrow gray-green
leaves, aromatic
Flower/Fruit: 6"-12" blue/lilac, white or pink
panicles, small gray/brown fruit
Hardy to Zone 6 (with protection)
The
chaste tree gets its name from the fact that Athenian women used
the leaves in their beds to keep themselves chaste during the
feasts of Ceres. The spicy fruit of the tree has been used extensively
throughout history to aide the symptoms of female hormonal imbalances
as well as other various ailments. This Mediterranian plant thrives
on heat and rapidly becomes a 20 ft. tree or shrub (with equal
spread) in no time - cold winters will kill the tree back but
it will quickly recover the following year. Blooms begin to appear
in mid June and remain for the remainder of the summer. Bees and
butterflies love this tree, even more than a buddleia. Keep newly
planted trees watered and fertilized but once it becomes established
you will not have to worry about it. It is truly a carefree and
wonderful plant.
