Variegated Chaste Tree

Variegated Chaste Tree (Vitex trifolia) is a fast, tough hedge plant with white-patterned leaves and lilac flowers through the warmer months. Left alone it reaches about 4m tall and 3m wide, so it suits boundaries and screens rather than tight spaces. It takes salt, wind and wet soil in its stride, which makes it a reliable choice for coastal blocks.

Why you'll love it

• Bright foliage all year. The white-striped leaves keep a hedge lively in winter as well as summer, not only when it is in flower.
• Lilac summer flowers. Soft lilac flowers open through the warmer months and lift the pale foliage.
• Fast and hardy. It grows quickly, copes with dry spells once settled and tolerates light overnight frost.
• Built for exposure. Salt, wind, wet soil and full sun do not stop it, so seaside fences and open boundaries suit it.
• Three habits in one plant. Clipped it makes a hedge, left alone it makes a loose border shrub, and with the lower stems removed it grows into a small tree.

Where it works best

Hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart in a single row for a clipped hedge, or 1.5m apart for a looser screen that fills out to its full 3m width. Tip prune from the start and the hedge thickens from the base up.

Coastal and exposed gardens. Salt wind and damp ground that defeat many shrubs leave it unbothered, so it works along beachside fences, on windy boundaries and in low spots that stay wet.

Mixed borders and informal gardens. The pale leaves brighten the back of a mixed bed. Allow 2m to 3m between plants if you want each one to keep its own shape.

Growing Variegated Chaste Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Plant in full sun. It thrives in subtropical conditions and warm coastal gardens, and it tolerates light overnight frost. In colder districts with regular frosts, choose a sheltered spot, because a hard frost can mark the new growth.

Soil. Any good garden soil suits it, including sandy coastal ground and soil that stays damp for part of the year.

Water and feed. Water regularly for the first 8 to 12 weeks until the plant is established. After that it tolerates drought, although it grows best when it is watered well.

Pruning. Tip prune regularly to keep a hedge dense. For more flowers, prune harder once a year to encourage new growth. A hedge that is clipped lightly all season will carry fewer flowers.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Variegated Chaste Tree as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical way to plant a long hedge, while the 200mm pots give you a fuller plant on day one.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to create a great hedge and keep it looking sharp
• Browse hedging and screening plants
• More coastal and salt tolerant plants
• More variegated foliage plants

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

Plant 1m apart in a single row for a clipped hedge. Go to 1.5m if you would rather have a looser screen that fills out to its natural 3m width.

Will it grow near the sea?

Yes. It tolerates salt, wind, wet soil and full sun, which is why it is such a dependable coastal hedge. It still needs regular water until it is established.

How do I get more flowers from it?

Prune harder once a year instead of clipping lightly all season. Heavy annual pruning pushes out new growth, and the flowers come on that growth.