The planting itself is done quickly. But everything can be done right or things can go wrong. If the location is not chosen carefully or if the shrub entered the garden soil at the wrong time, its entire remaining existence will be shaped by it. With our information you ensure a good starting position.

Monk's pepper loves the sun

Arrive at a good young plant

Are you enthusiastic about the blossom of the monk's pepper or do you want to enjoy its healing ingredients? Then you are welcome to grow the plant, which comes from the Mediterranean region, in this country as well. Various types of chaste tree are available on the market. Most prospective buyers decide based on the color of the flowers. But you should also pay attention to other properties.

Also consider propagating chaste tree yourself from seed or cuttings.

Is a suitable location available?

Offer a piece of your garden to Vitex agnus-castus, which is the botanical name for chaste tree. If you don't have one, it can also be a large bucket. What is never tolerated, however, is a shady existence. The optimal location is:

  • very sunny and warm
  • sheltered from the wind
  • a spot close to a wall is ideal

The available space is both sunny and sheltered from the wind? Great! But is it big enough for this shrub? Monk's pepper can grow up to 3 m high and just as wide. Only in the bucket is its growth power slowed down a bit.

tips

If you want to plant several chaste trees next to each other, count on about one square meter per specimen.

Check and improve soil quality

Chaste tree likes loose, well-drained soil with a pH in the alkaline range. Increase the pH of an acidic soil with the addition of lime. You can improve loamy soil by mixing the excavation with sand. Also put a layer of sand or even coarser material in the planting hole or bucket so that excess water can drain off easily.

Wait until the ideal planting time

Shrubs are planted in autumn or spring. Since autumn is now very unstable in our latitudes, we recommend planting chasteberry in spring if possible.

Water the plant well and cut back vigorously immediately after planting so that it sprout more compactly. In the first few years, the hardy shrub should get a protective layer of leaves in autumn if it overwinters outside.

Category:

Trees