Marshallia caespitosa

Native plant experts everywhere agree that Barbara’s Buttons is an exceptional and garden worthy perennial. It is a very tidy and refined native plant that fits well in the front of the border or in a rock garden. In mid spring it sends up white Scabios a-like flower heads atop 12-18″ stalks from a rosette of attractive strap-like leaves. The “buttons” are daisies without rayflorets, or petals, instead consisting of unique frilly disk florets that are very showy. Sweetly fragrant, the blooms work well as cutflowers, are relished by butterflies, and when seed is formed, provide food for finches and other small birds. This is a pretty but tough plant, tolerant of a wide range of soil types and moisture regimes, growing well in full sun or partial shade.