🌿 NATIVE PLANT OF THE WEEK⁠ Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis, Zones 5–9)⁠ ⁠ Meet the shrub that looks like it’s blooming with tiny pin-studded golf balls. Native to the eastern U.S. and parts of California, buttonbush is more than just a conversation starter—it’s a pollinator magnet and wildlife workhorse.⁠ ⁠ ✨ Why gardeners love it:⁠ • Grows 6–12 feet tall⁠ • Blooms like crazy in summer⁠ • Fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies & hummingbirds⁠ • Red fruits feed birds in fall⁠ • Quick-growing, low-fuss, high-impact⁠ ⁠ 🌧️ Thrives in sun to part shade, especially in rain gardens or soggy spots—but adapts well to most soils (except bone-dry).⁠ ✂️ Its wild form suits habitat gardens, but light pruning keeps it tidy if needed.⁠ ⁠ 🦋 Fun Fact:⁠ Buttonbush is a host plant for the hydrangea sphinx and titan sphinx moths—the latter is often mistaken for a hummingbird!⁠ ⁠ 📖 Learn more in The American Gardener’s article “Support Pollinators with Native Shrubs” (Sept/Oct 2018) at ahsga...