Chastetree flower

Chastetree flower

Chastetree, a delightful ornamental perennial, provides multi-functions in the garden, playing border or container plant, espalier or pollard tree. Legend suggests the chastetree received its name because Athenian women added the aromatic blooms to the beds to help them remain chaste. The mature chastetree may reach heights over 15 feet with intriguing twisting limbs. Used either as a shrub or a tree, chastetree can be trained against a wall or trellis (espalier) or pollard trimmed each winter to cut back growth and concentrate foliage growth and thicken the trunk.

The fast growing spread of the chastetree can quickly provide a large amount of refreshing shade. The fragrant foliage and flowers attract butterflies, making the chastetree a fabulous showpiece specimen for a butterfly garden. It also is gaining a good reputation in flavorful honey production.

Propagation typically is by seeds or cuttings. Plant seeds at least 36 inches apart in rich, moist soil with adequate drainage in a partial shade, partial sun to full sun location. Hardy and fast growing, the chastetree is able to withstand a variety of growing conditions. The lovely lavender, blue or white blossom spikes decorate the tree for several months. Removing dead blooms encourages further blooming. The foliage has five narrow tapered leaves per stem while the cut leaf chastetree has lacy, irregular shaped leaves in a similar configuration.

Chastetree has a reputation as an herbal remedy for relieving muscle tension.