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Meet the Breeder

Dr. Carol Robacker

ROCK STEADY®

Chastetree

Vitex agnus-castus

'V12-2-1'

PP#36,228

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A row of Rock Steady Vitex in a landscape

Close up of the lavender blooms on Rock Steady Vitex

Close up on the foliage of Rock Steady Vitex

Three Rock Steady Vitex heavily blooming in a garden

Long-blooming
Drought tolerant
Deer resistant

Description: Rock Steady vitex is incredibly long-blooming - 6-16 weeks longer than six other popular varieties of vitex, according to our trials. Sprays of beautiful lavender flowers grace the plant from late spring through fall, attracting pollinators and fending off heat, drought, and deer like it was born to do it. It is, of course, heat tolerant, but also surprisingly hardy.

USDA Zone: 5b-9 (-20°F/-28.9°C)
Exposure: Full sun
Height: 4-12'
Width: 4-5'
Finish Time: 1 season
Type: Deciduous
Bloom Time: Late spring-fall
Flower Color: Purple
Foliage Color: Green
Liner Sizes: 2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

General Care

Soil

Any well-drained soil will do.

Pruning

Blooms on new wood - prune as needed in spring.

Uses

Specimen, hedging, foundations, mixed borders and flower gardens.

Growing Tips

May die back to the ground in winter in colder climates, which will naturally limit its height (new wood blooming ensures flowers each summer, however). In warmer areas, where dieback is minimal, prune as needed to develop desired shape.

Features: Alkaline soil, Attracts pollinators, Clay soil, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Heat tolerant

Filters: Botanical genus: Vitex, Common name: Chastetree, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Bloom time: Summer, Purple flowers, Green foliage