High Quality Vitex Trees For Sale

New Zealand’s Best Puriri Trees

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

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space
• They attract birds and bees
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced
• They can provide shelter and screening
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

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:

• Bees: Bees are attracted to the nectar and pollen produced by Vitex flowers. Bees play an important role in pollinating Vitex plants, which helps them produce fruit and seeds.
• Butterflies: Butterflies are also attracted to the nectar and pollen produced by Vitex flowers. Butterflies are important pollinators of many plants, and their visits to Vitex plants help ensure that the plants are able to reproduce.
• Hummingbirds: Hummingbirds are attracted to the bright colors and sweet nectar of Vitex flowers. Hummingbirds are important pollinators of many plants, and their visits to Vitex plants help ensure that the plants are able to reproduce.

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

• Ladybugs: Ladybugs are attracted to the aphids that feed on Vitex plants. Ladybugs are beneficial insects that help to control aphid populations.
• Lacewings: Lacewings are attracted to the aphids and other insects that feed on Vitex plants. Lacewings are beneficial insects that help to control pest populations.
• Predatory mites: Predatory mites are attracted to the other insects that feed on Vitex plants. Predatory mites are beneficial insects that help to control pest populations.

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:

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Menopause symptoms
• Infertility
• Acne
• Endometriosis

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:

• Warmth: Puriri trees are most commonly found in areas with mild to warm temperatures. They can tolerate some frost, but they prefer temperatures that are above freezing.
• Moisture: Puriri trees prefer moist soil conditions, but they can also tolerate some drought once they are established. They are not well-suited to waterlogged soils.
• Well-drained soil: Puriri trees need well-drained soil to prevent their roots from rotting. They can tolerate a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand.
• Sun: Puriri trees prefer full sun, but they can also tolerate some shade. They are not as shade-tolerant as some other native trees, such as tōtara and rimu.

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:

• Root damage: Puriri trees are sensitive to root damage, which can be caused by a number of factors, such as construction, excavation, or trampling by livestock. Root damage can disrupt the tree's ability to uptake water and nutrients, leading to decline and death.
• Waterlogging: Puriri trees prefer well-drained soil and do not tolerate waterlogged conditions. If the soil around the tree is constantly wet or soggy, the roots can rot, and the tree will eventually die.
• Pests and diseases: Puriri trees are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases.
• Nutrient deficiency: Puriri trees need a variety of nutrients to grow and thrive. If the soil around the tree is deficient in nutrients, such as nitrogen or phosphorus, the tree may decline and die.
• Competition: Puriri trees can be outcompeted for resources, such as light and water, by other plants, such as invasive weeds or fast-growing trees. This competition can stress the Puriri tree and make it more likely to die.

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.