This year with all of its challenges, many gardeners have experienced a ‘Call of the Wild’ type moment. It's not a call to plant a jungle or a xeriscape, but to plant with an eye toward the environment and nature. If you find yourself in this category then I would like to give a shout out to Sugar Shack. With the country under a big chill, now is a great time to plan.
Sugar Shack is a compact or behaved form of the native buttonbush. It is known botanically as Cephalanthus occidentalis and is native to all of the lower 48, save 11 states. In other words, it is easier to name the 11 states where it is not found. It is also native to much of Canada.
The buttonbush is so incredibly designed and beautiful in bloom that people are always sending it to me to identify. There is something special when natives catch the eye and inquiring minds want to know, “Can I grow it at my house?” The answer for the most part, is always, “Yes, yes do it.”
