Vitex agnus-castus Santamaria - Chaste Tree

Vitex agnus-castus 'Santamaria' distinguishes itself from the classic chaste tree by its pale pink flowering in delicate spikes. While not spectacular, it is unusual and provides a good source of nectar for bees in late summer. Like the wild species, which is sometimes called Monk's pepper or Chaste Lamb, this Santamaria variety produces small compact clusters adorned with red and shiny 'peppercorns' that persist throughout winter. Its beautiful dark green foliage is aromatic when crushed. This deciduous shrub is hardy, undemanding, tolerant of salty soils, and drought-resistant once established. Easy to grow, it thrives in a loose hedge.

Vitex agnus-castus Santamaria is a beautiful deciduous shrub belonging to the Verbenaceae family. Its wild ancestor is native to the Mediterranean basin and Asia Minor, where it is frequently found along the coast, planted in sand and exposed to sea spray. This Santamaria variety forms a generally spreading and quite bushy shrub within a few years. When mature, it will measure approximately 2.5 m (8 ft) in height and 2.75 m (9 ft) in spread, sometimes reaching up to 3 m (10 ft) in height. Its flowering occurs from early August to late September, depending on the climate, on the current year's growth. It takes the form of thin floral spikes adorned with tiny pale pink flowers. Small fruits the size of peppercorns then form, which are aromatic, dark red, and shiny and persist until winter. The rapidly growing stems are sturdy and very flexible. They bear palmate leaves, divided into 5 tapering lobes, and their colour is a beautiful bluish dark green. This deciduous foliage turns yellow in autumn before falling. It emits a strong pepper scent when crushed, hence its nickname of Pepper Tree. Vitex develops a very deep root system, allowing it to draw moisture from deep down when the summer is dry.

Often found along the coast, Vitex agnus-castus is highly resistant to summer drought once well rooted. Retaining the qualities of this undemanding and robust shrub, the 'Santamaria' variety is an excellent plant for coastal gardens. Its cold resistance (down to -15 °C (5 °F)) makes it accessible to many gardens, whether natural or without irrigation. It can be integrated into a loose hedge or grove, alongside oleanders (in mild climates), wild roses, Crape Myrtles, butterfly bushes, or even summer tamarisks.

Its vernacular name of 'Monk's Pepper' dates back to the Middle Ages when some clergymen consumed the berries of the shrub to resist the temptations of the flesh. Since then, studies have proven the plant's properties in alleviating problems related to hormonal fluctuations in women. In Ancient Greece, Vitex stems were used to make strong bindings. Legend has it that Ulysses tied his companions with such ties under the bellies of sheep, allowing them to escape from the Cyclops' cave.