Vitex agnus castus

Vitex agnus-castus, commonly known as Abraham’s Bush, is a resilient and adaptable small tree or large shrub that can reach up to 8 meters in height. Native to streambeds in the northern and central regions of Israel, it naturally thrives along watercourses that flow year-round.

In its natural habitat, it typically grows with multiple trunks, but in cultivated landscapes, it is often shaped as a single-stemmed ornamental tree. The foliage is opposite, with dark green upper surfaces and softly pubescent undersides. Deciduous in winter, the tree is easily recognized during dormancy by clusters of dry fruit capsules that persist on the branches.

From June to September, Vitex produces striking spikes of fragrant purple flowers, offering ornamental value during the driest months and serving as an important nectar source for honeybees. Its roots are deep and non-invasive, making it suitable for planting near structures or in urban settings.

Widely used in Mediterranean gardens, Abraham’s Bush is valued for its low maintenance, attractive blooms, and suitability as a small shade tree, specimen plant, or in shrub borders. It is also traditionally known for its flexible branches, which have been used in basketry, and its aromatic fruit, sometimes used as a spice. Historically, the seeds were believed to have medicinal properties and were used in various forms of folk medicine.

The Vitex genus includes around 250 species, with another local variety found in Israel producing pink flowers and growing primarily along northern waterways. In global horticulture, there are additional compact and dwarf cultivars, including groundcover forms. Our nursery also offers a unique triangular-leafed purple Vitex, distinguished by its richly colored, oval-shaped foliage.

Additional trees from the same family: Vitex trifolia ‘Purpurea’