Buttonbush

Similar to yesterday's post, here's some Buttonbush we (Trail Stewards and Staff) planted at Duke Farms on Monday. This was done after clearing out invasive plants from alongside a trail (mostly Multiflora Rose, though I also cut a Japanese Barberry).

The Buttonbush was planted alongside (maybe 2-3 feet apart) from the Arrowwood Viburnum we were also planting, though the terrain was slightly different. There is a low gully along the trail that's generally wetter at the bottom, and that's where we planted the water-loving Buttonbush. The Arrowwood Viburnum was planted at the very top of the gully slope since it's content with drier conditions.

If all goes according to plan, the Buttonbush and Arrowwood Viburnum will provide a pair of native shrubs that'll compete with the invasives that were the dominant plants in this spot.

The Buttonbush flowers are supposed to be very popular with honeybees, and probably popular with at least some of our native pollinators. Their nutlets (which apparently reminded people of buttons) are certainly eaten by waterfowl and some passerines.

June 14, 2021 at Duke Farms


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