Chaste Tree (Vitex)

Zone: 5 to 9
Exposure: Full sun
Height: 15′ to 25′
Width: 15′ to 25′
Bloom time: Summer
Flower color: blue-purple

The Chaste tree is a large shrub that can also be grown as a small tree if you cut off the lower branches as it is growing.

It has gray-green leaves and beautiful flowers that look like blue-purple crepe myrtle blooms.

And I find if I cut the flowers off when they are finished, I can get them to bloom again a second time.

These plants grow fast, so they can quickly provide some height (and shade) in the garden. Which is great if you are starting a new garden that needs some structure.

They are also fairly drought-tolerant once established.