Award-winning 'Shoal Creek' chastetree is native to Southern Europe and Western Asia and grows into a multi-trunked, large shrub or small tree. It ranges in height from 10 to 15 feet, with a broad, spreading growth habit. Unlike the typical species, 'Shoal Creek' is an improved cultivar that possesses larger spikes of violet-blue flowers. It is noted for its resistance to leaf spot. A more dense plant can be achieved by cutting back the side by 1/3 during the first couple years. Booming takes place on new growth from the current season, so it can be cut back in winter or early spring. In cooler planting zones it can be grown as a modest sized perennial shrub. Once the cold temperatures begin, dieback will likely take place. However, the roots often survive and new growth can occur the next year. With its rapid growth rate, expect as much as 4-7' of new growth. It can be grown in partial shade, but a full sun location will yield the best flower production. 'Shoal Creek' chastetree thrives in full sun and will tolerate most soil conditions, as long as the soil is well-drained This plant selection is exceptionally more vigorous in growth than other varieties of Vitex. Once this shrub becomes established, it is very low-maintenance and extremely drought tolerant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It has the potential to become invasive. No serious insect or disease issues have been noted. It may develop leaf spot or root rot. More information on Vitex agnus-castus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheBuddleja davidiiBuddleja 'Miss Violet'Lantana camara 'Miss Huff'
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading; Vase
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf value
Fragrant; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Stems have 5-7 lance-shaped palmate leaflets that are grayish-green and up to 6" long. The underside is silvery and produces a lovely effect when ruffled by a breeze.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
12 inch long panicles of lilac-purple blooms
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Purple/Lavender
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
This multi trunked variety have a flashy purple stem in the spring, turning a reddish-brown in winter.