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Native Plants of the Southeast

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Marshallia obovata
Piedmont Barbara's-Buttons, Spoonshaped Barbara's Buttons, Spoonleaf Barbara's Buttons.

Photo by Patrick Coin

Piedmont Barbara’s Buttons is found in moist, well drained roadsides and fields from south-central Virginia to Florida. That said, it is truly our own wildflower as in NC, it is actually only reported in the very central counties of the state. A basal rosette of narrow leaves gives rise in early summer to slender, unbranched 1- to 2-foot stems bearing 1-inch delicate, fragrant, fluffy, spherical, bright white to pinkish “buttons”. Tolerant of dry conditions and happy in full sun and part shade, this is an un-fussy, non-invasive garden team player attractive to a range of pollinating insects! Piedmont Barbara’s Buttons was selected as the 2009 NC Wildflower of the Year (WFOY) by the NC Botanical Garden with the Garden Club of NC.

Last Updated: May 23, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Marshallia obovata (Walter) Beadle & F.E. Boynt. var. obovata
Common Names: Piedmont Barbara's-Buttons, Spoonshaped Barbara's Buttons, Spoonleaf Barbara's Buttons.
Family Name: Asteraceae (Composite, or Daisy Family)
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Uses: Perennial Border, Woodland Garden, Naturalizing, Butterfly garden, Rock garden
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Medium
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Bloom Times: May, Jun, Jul
Flower Color: White
Special Characteristics: Tolerates dry conditions

Additional Info

Habit: Small clump-forming perrenial, with basal rosette.
Height: 1' - 2'
Spread: 1'
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Conditions: Average to dry moisture uncertain as to pH and texture.
Leaves: The basal rosette has up to 10 stem leaves, alternate, simple, and obovate! about 6 inches in length.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Small (1 -inch) delicate, pinkish white flower in compact speherical head with prominent calyx; supported on 1- to 2-foot, unbranched stem arising from a basal rosette. fragrant.
Natural Distribution: roadsides, bogs, open pine forests
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: not available
Pollination: Beetles, butterflies.
Wildlife Connections: Attracts bees, buterflies, and birds.
Propagation: By division and by seed.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
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Office/Jen/Bill:  919-542-6186

Who we are

Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

our hours

Cure Nursery operates by appointment only. Call us or email us to place an order for pick up or to arrange a time to come visit the nursery.

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