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10 June Favorites

Magnolia 'Kay Parris' With so much going on in the garden in June, it is hard to choose only ten favorites. I challenged myself and have done just that. These are plants that look good around the midway point in June, specifically from June 15-20.  I begin with Magnolia 'Kay Parris'. Believe it or not, having spent the majority of my life in the South, I never grew a magnolia. They are emblematic of the South, where magnificent specimens grace old plantation homes and stately homes in older neighborhoods. I always thought of magnolias as huge trees, not suited to a small garden, but things have changed, and more varieties are now available that are not supposed to grow as large.  We now have two magnolias in our garden, both of which were added recently. When one of the old photinias that line our back property line died, it left a gaping hole. I had been looking at magnolias at the nursery and decided a smaller one might make a good backdrop and create a good privacy s...
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Buttonbush


The Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is an unusual shrub with curious white pincushion flowers. It is found in the wild all over the United States, usually in swamps and moist areas.  Growing up in rural Alabama, I remember seeing it in the woods behind our house. It doesn't garner much attention until the blooms make their appearance. 



Sources vary on the size of the plant. In the wild, it can get to 20 feet but in gardens, most likely under 12 ft. In my garden, it is about 4 feet tall after five years in the ground. It is located along the back fence in an area that doesn't get much supplemental water although I am working on the area and watering more often this year.

The flowers have a slight honey-like fragrance. Bees love this plant!





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Kris PetersonAugust 8, 2022 at 12:33 PM

    Anything that the bees like is a winner in my book, although if it likes moist soil it won't find a home in my garden.

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  2. Hoover BooAugust 8, 2022 at 3:28 PM

    Interesting. It does have a quiet elegance to it.

    In California the common name is Buttonwillow and there's an unincorporated town along I-5 in the central valley so named--the buttonwillows all gone from the area, which is intensively farmed--cotton and other such crops.

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  3. AnonymousJune 17, 2023 at 7:09 AM

    I’ve planted mine in an area that regularly floods. Doesn’t seem to mind at all. This area is quite shady, and that may be why the plant is tree-forming itself, although it’s only about 3 ft tall. I actually like the bare legs, and I’ve seen mature buttonbush “trees” online that are very striking in winter. Mine is underplanted with juncus rush and a couple small sabal minor palms.

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