These button-willows (also called Buttonbush, Honey-bells) have a scientific name of Cephalanthus occidentalis. But my it is pretty (see the photo I took this weekend at the Conservancy’s Silva tract). At first, I thought they might be just another deciduous shrub used as decoration. But the experts said that they were native, and had an affinity for watered areas. So we planted a few around the Conservancy’s marsh complexes about 10 years ago. And I just like them more and more as they get more mature. We need to plant some more!

It’s a beautiful thing
These three photos represent the setting the Conservancy attempts to achieve in much of its managed marsh complexes. The land was purchased, then it was modified by moving soil so as to mimic preferred habitat, then water courses of various types and functions were cut and shaped, and water control …