Sometimes we all want that one curiosity in the garden to get people talking. That unique plant that’s a little… weird. A little…out of this world. But who needs an intergalactic trip when
there are many unusual plants native to the United States, and often your own backyard? And while Earth’s oddest plants can demand special care, these surprisingly widespread natives are easy to grow and will still wow:
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis; Zones 4b–11) is a charming three-season shrub that will “make you believe.” A widespread East Coast to Midwest North American native with extant ranges dotted west toward California and south to Mexico, this shrub is found along wetland margins. Therefore it thrives in marshy, wet, clay conditions—but it tolerates more upland loam and moist garden soils, too. With its deep roots, buttonbush provides excellent erosion control for rain gardens, embankments, and low, pooling or washout-prone drainage spots and gullies. It grows in full sun or part shade.
This is a large shrub, reaching six to twelve feet tall and wide with a spreading, rounded habit. It can attain tree-like branching with age. Shiny, flame-shaped leaves emerge chartreuse in spring and age to medium to dark green and lengths of three to eight inches. The foliage makes buttonbush a beautiful screening plant, but its true space-age appeal comes midsummer, with the tiny, round, composite, pale-green buds forming at the end of branches. These soon explode into inch-round fuzzy, honey-scented white to shell-pink pompom flowers. Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, children and adults are all drawn as if by a tractor beam to the oddball sight!
This story is from the November - December 2023 edition of Horticulture.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November - December 2023 edition of Horticulture.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Around the World With Herbs
Looking beyond familiar mediterranean favorites, we can find flavor in the tropics
RIBWORT PLANTAIN
Before you call it a weed, consider its many talents
JARED BARNES - Propagating gardeners
JARED BARNES is an award-winning professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. He also hosts The Plantastic Podcast and publishes a weekly e-newsletter called plant ed, both of which can be found at his website, https://www.meristemhorticulture.com. At home, he gardens with wife Karen and daughter Magnolia.
FILMS WITH FLOWERS
Relax with an uplifting garden-themed movie
TOTAL TOMATO GROWING GUIDE
Niki Jabbour's advice for making the most of this grow-at-home favorite
HANGDOG NO MORE
I'M A CURIOUS and impetuous guy. Good at thinking but terrible at remembering. And dammit if I'm not impatient.
LOOKING AHEAD
A colorful, fruitful summer follows winter's well-used days
NEW PLANTS
Pollinator Favorites
PLANTS from PIECES
ALL ABOUT PROPAGATION BY STEM, LEAF & ROOT CUTTINGS
FULL SUN FOLIAGE
IT'S A BIT MORE CHALLENGING THAN IN THE SHADE, BUT WE CAN FIND DELIGHTFUL LEAVES TO EMBELLISH SUNNY SPACES