Blue Diddley Chaste Tree

Blue Diddley Chaste Tree is a brightly colored dwarf chaste tree (Vitex) that can beautify any landscape and performs best in hot, dry regions. Chaste trees are known for their long, cone-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Blue Diddley adds abundant bluish-lavender color to some of the sunniest and hottest areas of a yard in zones 5 through 9. Planting several of the shrubs together can form a hedge or border for the landscape that doubles as a butterfly magnet.rThe dwarf growth of Blue Diddley Chaste Tree means it reaches no taller than 6 feet, a nice height for screens and hedges. The plant makes a statement all alone in a xeric garden, too, adding medium height and consistent summer color. Blue Diddley will spread to nearly as wide as tall (6 feet) with an upright, bushy shape. Pollinators love the flowers, and gardeners can cut flower branches for cut flower arrangements. Deer tend to ignore Vitex.rBlue Diddley Chaste Tree CarerPlace Blue Diddley Chaste Tree in full sun and soil that drains well. It needs a little extra water in its first year. After that, it can get by with occasional watering and rainfall. Blue Diddly needs pruning only in spring, removing any limbs damaged during winter or showing no signs of new growth. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, can promote more summer blooms. You can fertilize your Vitex in spring if you like.rBlue Diddley Chaste Tree SpacingrBlue Diddley Chaste Tree is a great plant to place near a sidewalk or driveway. For a pretty bluish-purple hedge, plant Blue Diddley shrubs about 5 to 7 feet apart from one center to another.rrBlue Diddley Chaste Tree Plant FactsrrrrUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9rrrFlower Color(s): BluerrrBloom Period: SummerrrrFoliage Color(s): GreenrrrLight Exposure: Full SunrrrHeight Class: MediumrrrHeight: 3-6 FeetrrrSpread: 3-6 FeetrrrSpacing: 3-7 FeetrrrHabit: MoundedrrrBlooms On: New WoodrrrWatering: AveragerrrShrub Type: DeciduousrrrScientific Name: Blue Diddley® Vitex agnus-castus ‘SMVACBD’ USPP 26,614rrrCommon Name: Blue Diddley® Chaste TreerrrOther Name(s): Vitex; Chastetree; Chasteberry; Abraham’s Balm; Lilac Chastetree; Monk’s PepperrrrBrand: Proven Winners ColorChoice®rrrDrought Tolerant: NorrrFeatures: Heat Tolerant