Vitex agnus-castus ‘Abbeville Blue’

This shrub has been in cultivation since Roman times: "Vitex was the Roman name for the Chaste Tree, now known botanically as Vitex agnus-castus. From classical Greek and Roman times this plant was known as an anaphrodisiac (the opposite of an aphrodisiac). In ancient Greece, it was called αγνος (ágnos), which apparently the early Christians confused with 'αγνος (hagnós), chaste, and with the Latin agnus, lamb, the Christian symbol of purity. So the plant received several sacred names in various languages, but all meaning ‘tree of chastity’." We know it as a hardy, drought tolerant, tall shrub with fragrant panicles of lavender blue flowers throughout the summer which has been known since ancient times. Customers of ours have long counted it as among the most drought tolerant shrubs we offer. Large silvery blue leaves. Deciduous. 5 metres x 2 metres.