- **Type**: Deciduous shrub or small tree (evergreen in very mild climates)

- **Height**: 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters); can be kept smaller (4-7 feet) with annual pruning

- **Width**: 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.7 meters)

- **Growth Habit**: Upright, vase-shaped, multi-stemmed; spreads moderately

- **Foliage**:

- Palmate (hand-shaped), grayish-green leaves with 5-7 lanceolate leaflets

- 4 to 6 inches long (10 to 15 cm), aromatic (sage-like scent when crushed)

- Silvery undersides, deciduous in cooler climates

- **Flowers**:

- Large, terminal spikes of vibrant violet-blue to lavender blooms, 12 to 18 inches long (30 to 45 cm)

- Bloom season: Summer to early fall (June to September), longest in warm climates

- Fragrant, attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees

- **Fruit**:

- Small, dry, dark brown to black drupes, about 0.25 inches (6 mm)

- Not ornamentally significant; historically used medicinally (e.g., as “monk’s pepper”)

- **Light**: Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering; tolerates partial shade

- **Soil**:

- Well-drained, loose; adapts to sandy, loamy, or clay soils

- Neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6.5 to 7.5); tolerates poor soils

- **Watering**: Moderate; prefers medium moisture, drought-tolerant once established

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 6 to 9 (can die back in Zone 6 winters but regrows from roots)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts pollinators; deer-resistant due to aromatic foliage

- **Care**:

- Prune hard in late winter or early spring (to 1-3 feet) to encourage new growth and flowering

- Fertilize lightly with a balanced mix (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring

- Mulch to retain moisture; deadhead spent spikes to extend bloom if desired

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- Highly resistant to leaf spot compared to other vitex varieties

- Occasional aphids, spider mites, or root rot in soggy soil

- **Uses**: Specimen plant, shrub border, butterfly garden, patio tree, or cutback perennial in colder zones

- **Growth Rate**: Fast; 2 to 3 feet per year in optimal conditions

- **Special Features**:

- Award-winning cultivar (e.g., ranked highly in Longwood Gardens trials for blue flowers)

- Native to southern Europe and western Asia; improved for vigor and larger blooms

- Flowers on new wood, so winter dieback doesn’t impact blooming

The Shoal Creek Chaste Tree’s long, fragrant purple flower spikes and tough, aromatic foliage make it a knockout for summer gardens, thriving in heat and drawing pollinators with ease. Its versatility—whether as a shrub, small tree, or cutback perennial—adds to its appeal, especially since it bounces back even after harsh winters in Zone 6.