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High Quality Vitex Trees For Sale

The Plant Company is New Zealand’s number one supplier of plants and garden accessories – we’re here to help you breathe life into your dream garden. We have the best Vitex trees for sale, a fantastic range, and we can ship them to you fast! Browse our range of New Zealand-grown plants for sale and add some of our amazing gems to your garden.

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New Zealand’s Best Puriri Trees

Growing colourful NZ-native trees in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

We have the largest variety of Vitex trees and the right one for your space. These Puriri have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Vitex trees, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Vitex

1. What does Vitex attract?

Vitex plants, also known as chaste trees, are known for their beautiful, fragrant flowers that attract a variety of pollinators, including:

In addition to pollinators, Vitex plants also attract a variety of other insects, including:

Overall, Vitex plants are attractive to a variety of beneficial insects, making them a valuable addition to any garden.

2. What is the difference between Vitex and chaste tree?

Vitex and chaste tree are actually the same plant. Vitex is the genus name, while chaste tree is a common name for the plant. The scientific name for the chaste tree is Vitex agnus-castus.

The name "chaste tree" comes from the belief that the plant could suppress libido. In ancient Greece, women would sleep on branches of the chaste tree during the festival of Ceres, the goddess of agriculture, grain, and fertility. They believed that the plant would help them to remain chaste and prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Today, chaste tree is used as a herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, including:

Chaste tree is thought to work by regulating hormone levels, particularly prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that is involved in breast development and milk production. It is also thought to play a role in PMS and menopause symptoms.

3. What is Vitex lucens used for?

Vitex lucens, commonly known as puriri, is a native tree to New Zealand that has been used by Māori people for centuries for its medicinal and cultural significance. Here are some of the traditional uses of Vitex lucens:

  1. Medicinal:
    • Antiseptic and wound healing: Infusions of puriri leaves were used to bathe sprains, backaches, and ulcers, and to wash the bodies of the deceased for preservation. The leaves were also used to treat sore throats.
    • Remedies for digestive issues: Puriri leaves were used to treat diarrhea and dysentery.
  2. Cultural:
    • Construction and tools: Puriri timber was highly valued for its durability and resistance to rot, making it a preferred material for constructing palisades, houses, and tools.
    • Carvings and ornaments: Puriri wood was also used to create carvings and ornaments, often incorporating Māori motifs and designs.
  3. Spiritual and ceremonial:
    • Symbolism and connection to ancestors: Puriri trees were considered sacred and associated with spiritual power and connection to ancestors.
    • Use in rituals and ceremonies: Puriri leaves were used in rituals and ceremonies, and puriri trees were often planted in sacred sites.
  4. Modern applications:
    • Timber and furniture: Puriri timber is still used today for high-end furniture and cabinetry, valued for its beauty and durability.
    • Landscaping and conservation: Puriri trees are planted for landscaping and restoration purposes, providing shade and attracting native wildlife.

Vitex lucens remains an important part of New Zealand's cultural and ecological heritage, with its traditional uses continuing to be recognized and valued.

4. How quickly do puriri trees grow?

Puriri trees are one of the fastest-growing native trees in New Zealand. They can grow up to 20 metres tall and 1.5 metres in diameter. On good sites, they can reach 15 metres in about 30 years.

5. Can you eat puriri berries?

Yes, puriri berries are edible, but they are not very tasty. They are described as having a bitter-sweet flavor and a dry, astringent mouthfeel. Some people find them to be unpleasantly bitter, while others find them to be tolerable.

Puriri berries are not considered to be poisonous, but they can cause digestive upset if eaten in large quantities. This is because they contain a compound called vitexin, which has a laxative effect.

6. What conditions do puriri trees like?

Puriri trees are native to New Zealand and are found in a variety of habitats, including coastal forests, lowland forests, and volcanic hills. They prefer warm, moist climates with well-drained soil. Here are some of the specific conditions that Puriri trees like:

7. Why is my puriri tree dying?

There are a number of reasons why a puriri tree might be dying. Some of the most common causes include:

8. Are Puriri trees protected in NZ?

Puriri trees are protected in New Zealand under the National Environmental Standard for Plantation Forestry (NES-PF). This standard prohibits the planting of new plantation forests on land that contains puriri trees. It also requires that existing plantation forests that contain Puriri trees must be managed in a way that protects the trees.

In addition to the NES-PF, puriri trees are also protected under a number of regional and local regulations. For example, the Auckland Council's Tree Protection Policy lists Puriri trees as a "significant" species, which means that they are protected from removal without a resource consent.

The protection of Puriri trees is important because they are a threatened species. Puriri trees were once widespread throughout New Zealand, but they have been heavily logged and cleared for farmland. As a result, there are now only a small number of Puriri trees left in the wild.

Protecting Puriri trees is important for a number of reasons. First, puriri trees are an important part of New Zealand's native biodiversity. They provide habitat for a number of native birds and insects, and they help to maintain healthy ecosystems. Second, Puriri trees are a valuable cultural resource for Māori. Puriri trees are used in traditional Māori carving and medicine, and they are also associated with a number of Māori myths and legends.

The protection of Puriri trees is an important part of the conservation of New Zealand's native biodiversity. By protecting these trees, we can help to ensure that they will be around for future generations to enjoy.


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