{"product_id":"queen-bee®-chastetree","title":"Queen Bee® Chastetree","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"pd-title-head\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eVitex agnus-castus\u003c\/em\u003e First Editions® Queen Bee® ('Bailtexthree' PP35259)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Specimen, hedges, borders, pollinator gardens, mass plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBenefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vibrant lavender flower spikes bloom from mid-June and rebloom throughout summer, providing continuous color and pollinator value during the hottest months. Aromatic, palmate gray-green foliage adds fine texture and a sage-like fragrance to the landscape. Exceptional drought, heat, and salt tolerance for challenging garden sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6–9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous Shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rounded, Broad-spreading — wide, mounding form with arching branches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavender\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gray-Green\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–6 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7–9 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSummary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQueen Bee® Chastetree fills the midsummer garden with waves of fragrant lavender flower spikes at a time when most spring-blooming shrubs have long finished their show. The flower panicles bloom from mid-June and continue to rebloom through summer as spent spikes are replaced by new growth, providing months of continuous color that butterflies, bees, and other pollinators eagerly seek out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aromatic, palmately compound foliage is gray-green with a sage-like scent, adding fine texture and a Mediterranean quality to the planting. The wide, rounded habit matures at 5 to 6 feet tall and 7 to 9 feet across, making Queen Bee® an effective flowering hedge, colorful screen, or dramatic specimen where space allows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart of the First Editions® collection from Bailey Nurseries, Queen Bee® was selected for improved flower power, cold tolerance, and drought resilience compared to standard chastetree varieties. It handles heat, poor soil, and dry conditions that would stress less adapted shrubs. In zone 6, it may die back to the ground in harsh winters but rebounds quickly from the roots, blooming on new wood that same season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQueen Bee® Chastetree Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Queen Bee® in full sun for the best flowering and strongest form. This shrub thrives in heat and requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It adapts to a wide range of well-drained soils and is not particular about soil type or pH. Avoid wet, poorly drained sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly during establishment. Once established, Queen Bee® is highly drought tolerant and performs well with minimal supplemental irrigation. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/slow-release-fertilizer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eslow release fertilizer\u003c\/a\u003e to support vigorous growth and abundant flowering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrune hard in early spring before new growth emerges. In zones 6–7, the plant may die back to the ground over winter and should be cut to 6 to 12 inches in early spring. It recovers rapidly and blooms on new wood. Removing spent flower spikes during the season encourages additional flushes of bloom approximately every six weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSize\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Size is the Queen Bee® Chastetree for Sale Online?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur Queen Bee® Chastetree ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/pages\/contact\" title=\"Contact Almanac Planting Co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003econtact us\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Large Does Queen Bee® Chastetree Grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQueen Bee® reaches 5 to 6 feet tall and 7 to 9 feet wide at maturity in warmer zones. In zone 6 where it may die back over winter, expect a smaller size of 3 to 5 feet in its first seasons as it regrows from the base each spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are some common names for this plant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plant is commonly known as Chastetree, Chaste Tree, Vitex, Lilac Chastetree, and Monk’s Pepper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Queen Bee® survive in zone 6?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQueen Bee® is rated for zones 6 through 9. In zone 6, it may die back to the ground in cold winters but regrows vigorously from the roots in spring. Since it blooms on new wood, dieback does not prevent flowering. Treat it as a woody perennial in colder areas and cut back in early spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Queen Bee® Chastetree deer resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The aromatic foliage and flowers are unpalatable to deer, making Queen Bee® a reliable choice for gardens with browsing pressure. Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/deer-resistant-shrubs-evergreens\"\u003eDeer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens\u003c\/a\u003e collection for more options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat pollinators does Queen Bee® attract?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fragrant lavender flower spikes are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Chastetree is one of the best midsummer nectar sources available and produces excellent quality honey when visited by bees. Explore more pollinator-friendly options in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/collections\/shrubs\"\u003eShrubs \u0026amp; Bushes\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Almanac Planting Co","offers":[{"title":"3 Gallon \/ Ship ASAP","offer_id":46701365166242,"sku":"PNO2-QnBeeV-3-1yr","price":79.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0586\/9374\/6850\/files\/Queen-Bee-Chastetree-1.jpg?v=1775466120","url":"https:\/\/almanacplanting.com\/products\/queen-bee%c2%ae-chastetree","provider":"Almanac Planting Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}