Barbara’s Buttons
(Marshallia caespitosa)
Barbara’s Buttons (Marshallia caespitosa)
/
/
Nathan May
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Nathan May
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Nathan May | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Nathan May | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-05-13T09:51:56-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Marshallia caespitosa, commonly known as Barbara’s Buttons, is a deciduous perennial herb native to moist meadows, prairies, and open woodlands in the South-Central United States. It typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters) and a width of 0.5-1 feet (0.15-0.3 meters). This plant forms a basal rosette of leaves and bears clusters of fluffy, button-like flowers that are pink and white, blooming in late spring to early summer. The flowers are modest in size but can be quite showy en masse, attracting pollinators such as butterflies and bees.
Barbara’s Buttons is valued for its unique flower form and is used in native plant gardens, pollinator gardens, and as a border plant. It is relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. Gardeners appreciate its tolerance for both moist conditions and drought once established. It is best grown in full sun to part shade and prefers soils with medium moisture and good drainage. While not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can suffer from root rot if planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Barbara’s Buttons is valued for its unique flower form and is used in native plant gardens, pollinator gardens, and as a border plant. It is relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. Gardeners appreciate its tolerance for both moist conditions and drought once established. It is best grown in full sun to part shade and prefers soils with medium moisture and good drainage. While not commonly afflicted by diseases, it can suffer from root rot if planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-1.5 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant
Natural Habitat
Moist meadows, prairies, and open woodlands
Other Names
Common Names: Puffballs, Seep Marshallia
Scientific Names: , Marshallia caespitosa, Marshallia caespitosa var. signata, Marshallia caespitosa var. caespitosa, Marshallia caespitosa subsp. signata,
GBIF Accepted Name: Marshallia caespitosa Nutt. ex DC.