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Priscilla Treadwell

KLA Series: A Pondside Garden


By Robert Spencer, Over the Dam


Buttonbush

It’s August. The ragged powder blue flowers of native Beebalm have been in bloom for nearly a month and are still carrying enough pollen to attract bees and butterflies. After a month of intense heat and humidity there are now a host of woody plants taking the place of perennials as stars of the pondside garden. Among the shrubs now blooming is Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), a major source of nectar for native bees and butterflies, as well as seeds eaten by ducks and other waterfowl in the fall.


It is also called Honey Balls or Button Willow because of the distinctive 1” ball of its white or pink flowers which turn into a bronzy, red cluster of seeds which will soon be released in the shallow water where the plant grows. For those readers who live in areas of running or deep water, these 6-12’ plants with multiple bent and twisted branches are regular volunteers who spread in deeply rooted colonies, easily resist flooding. Several years ago, I canoed along a large cluster of 16’ high plants where Kedar Brook enters Keoka.


Native Buttonbush is available at many commercial nurseries such as Odonal’s and McSherry’s. It can be planted in damp, sandy soil or even shallow water. The plant is comfortable in shady spots but will grow to full height and thrive in full sun. This is a good choice for a long-lasting, three-season shore-line stabilizer requiring very little care.


I notice that next month’s star pollinator has begun to open its striking red flowers to hungry hummingbirds who prepare for their journey south next month.


For more about the author, Robert Spencer, click here.




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