I look forward to June each year as a time when my chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) comes into bloom. My unidentified heirloom variety is approaching full bloom.
It seems to be a promising choice for In a Vase on Monday. The blue vase is one we purchased in Japan all those many years ago and has stayed with us over five moves.
Last winter I pruned the vitex heavily and it has responded with vigorous new growth. It promises to be a banner year. One of the wonderful attributes of this plant is that it responds so well to deadheading. If I can get up high enough (my Arranger has strict rules to keep me low on the ladder) to remove the spent flowers, it will rebloom completely. That is a winner; it came from a second generation cutting from my aunt and was originally in my grandmother’s garden.
The bees love it as much as I do.
Please visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what she and others have put in their vases this week.
A Walk in the Garden 
I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these! Does it have a scent?
LikeLike
It has a very, very mild scent (you have to get your nose in the flower), but it surely does do something for the bees.
LikeLiked by 1 person
John what a magnificent tree and how gorgeous in the vase….makes quite a statement in the garden and vase.
LikeLike
Its history and its beauty make it one of my favorites.
LikeLike
This reminds me of a cross between a lilac and butterfly bush. It is lovely and how long do the cut stems last?
LikeLike
They last well, but the individual flowers begin to fall…and can make a mess, so we tend to count them as short lived.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s lovely John! Even nicer since it stems from your grandmother’s tree. Looks great in your Japanese vase. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Cathy. I think you realize how special this kind of thing is in a garden…history!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that that is lovely.
I know how pruning does wonders. My husband prunes our dwarf lilac and it goes crazy with new shoots and flowers.
LikeLike
Vitex can take a severe pruning and still produce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish my husband and I had more land than we do. I’d love to have more flowers and bushes and trees.
LikeLike
Best I can say is go for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your vitex is beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you, Susie. It has been quite special this year.
LikeLike
So do I, John, and yours is the finest specimen I’ve ever seen. Lovely in the vase too 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Annette. I’m grateful for your kind comment.
LikeLike
Your lovely tree fills me with happy memories of my trip to the US two years ago. My dirty white variety needs some tough treatment I will have to prune it. When did you prune it; can you maybe write about pruning it when you do so then I’ll do mine, Thanks
LikeLike
I will remember and do a post on it. I had it pruned in winter to the point it looked like sticks, but it surely has come out strong.
LikeLike
Looks wonderful! I wonder how it got that common name?
LikeLike
I have heard that it was used (potion? salve? herb?) to keep monks chaste. I never tried it.
LikeLike
Impressive pictures and some which I have’nt seen in my life and in my country but heard of…
LikeLike
I’m glad you like them. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person