23K views · 258 reactions | If you want a tough, yet gorgeous, large shrub that is a pollinator magnet, then Shoal Creek vitex is a must for your garden. This Louisiana Super Plant is discussed by LSU AgCenter horticulturist Heather Kirk-Ballard. | LSU AgCenter | Facebook

5.8K views · 101 reactions | If you’re a fan of lilacs, you’ll love Shoal Creek! Its lavender-blue flowers bloom in the summer and attract a variety of pollinators. Check it out at the Welcome Center on your next visit!#BotanicalGarden #Gardening #ShoalCreek #Plants #SummerBlooms #MurrelsInlet #GardenInspiration | Brookgreen Gardens | Facebook

Vitex agnus castus, or chaste tree, is a Mediterranean shrub (feels more like a small tree to me) with an interesting history. In ancient Greece it was dedicated to Hera and Demeter and used in rituals that symbolized purity, renewal, and the cycles of life. The Latin name means chaste lamb, a reflection of its long connection to virtue and restraint. During the Middle Ages monks grew Vitex in monastery gardens and used the peppery seeds in their food, believing it helped them remain celibate, w