Vitex (Chaste Tree)

[Dave McCormick]

I just ordered 50 seeds of this, Vitex or Chaste Tree. Its basically a giant herb and shrub. Its supposed to be better than buddliea for attracting insects and it grows large lavander like flowers that smell really sweet, Its native to Mediteranian and Asian regions. Here is a few image:





Anyone ever grown one or seen how much insects it attracts? I have no idea how long it will take to grow and I couldn't find small actual plants, just seeds of it, so I am going to grow it and see.

[Charles Nicol]

It looks spectacular Dave.. i'm sure the butterflies will go mad for it !!

Charles

[Susie]

I've got one (there's a suprise! ).

I bought it as a pot plant last year and at the moment it is only two feet tall so can't report yet how good it is for insects but will let you know this summer when I hope there will be some flowers on it. It has probably grown about six inches since I put it in last year. I think it did have some flowers on last year but they were small and I didn't pay them much attention. One good thing is that it is late flowering and so can attract insects at a time when a lot of other native plants have finished.

I was really concerned that it would die this winter as it is supposed to be quite tender but it survived so it must be pretty tough

[Dave McCormick]

Well, I'll grow a few in pots until they get big enough to put into garden, just wondering how fast it grows. Do you know Suzie since you have one?

[Susie]

I would guess it is pretty average for a shrub. Mine grew six inches in the few months from when it was put in towards the end of last summer until autumn when it lost its leaves.

As it is late flowering you may be lucky with your seeds, if they put on enough growth over the summer you may get a few flowers at the end of this year although I would imagine next year would be a better bet.

My plant is now about two feet high and although showing no leaf buds at the moment if I snap a twig it is still green inside so it's just a matter of time. Even the stems smell pleasant.

I will be interested to see how it does in your climate and soil, Dave. I didn't think of Ireland as being remotely Mediterraneanish.

[Dave McCormick]

Thanks Susie. Climate is 1 to 2C warmer than other areas in nearby area, plus where I live gets less rain than anywhere else in Northern Ireland so this might help, but I can see how it goes.

[Susie]

Let us know how it goes.

I am sure that if you can grow lavender then you can grow this successfully.

[Susie]

Finally it is showing leaf buds. I thought I had lost it.

[Dave McCormick]

I have my first shoots, might actually have one if not this year, maybe next. I am growing them in a hot, humid sunny area and giving them lots of water.

[Susie]

How's it going?

Mine's in bud but still not ready to flower.

[Dave McCormick]

Well its not going to well, just a while ago, the large pot I had the seeds in had a large clump of dead nettles growing nicley where the vitex should have started growing...seems that happens to me, I am trying to grow sweet marjoram and dandelions are growing in the pot instead. Have to remove the dead nettles and water it and see if I can actually grow one

[Susie]

I could always take a cutting for you next year and post it to you if you like.

Mine is finally flowering, not that it is any use with all this rain and not a sniff of a butterfly around!

[Dave McCormick]

I could always take a cutting for you next year and post it to you if you like.

Well, I'll let you know about that, not sure at moment. I;ll see if I can remove all the dead nettles and see if I can get the seeds to start growing.

[Matsukaze]

I saw this plant in southern Spain, where it was being visited by a couple of Long-tailed Blues

[Susie]

I hope this survives the winter, I didn't give it any protection.