From Nova Scotia to Northern Mexico, buttonbush has been a crafty evolutionist over the millenia, harmonizing with innumerable creatures in its wide and diverse swath of grow zones. This bush acts more like a tree, growing up to 12 feet high, with twisty branches decorating and protecting the shorelines of our precious wetland habitats.
Buttonbush acts as nature's mixed use architecture, with living spaces and amenities together in one smart design. The spherical flowers feed bees, butterflies and other pollinators in late spring and summer. Later, the flowers become nutlets, providing food and fiber to birds all winter long. Below, in the wet maze of roots, moss and mud dwell spawning fish, muskrats, turtles and green frogs; my daughters anticipate the frogs' return each spring. We examine them in the cool shade, watch them wake up and get their strength back after a long winter frozen in the Earth. This is their home. And this is the home of Dr. Buttonbush.
Dr. Buttonbush is a Michigan green frog and the main character in my next children's book. He's a professor who dabbles in environmental studies and "He's often seen stitching big buttons on all of his clothes..." Friends come by to borrow books and drink tea. When the humans on the next lot over are threatening to cut the shoreline down in order to plant turf grass, thereby destroying the habitat of the wetland creatures, Dr. Buttonbush and his friends won't let that happen. With kindness, they teach the humans and communicate what's important.
"In the shade of the shore it's never a bore,
just take a closer look..."
Left: Thick, waxy leaves create a canopy, providing essential shade for wetland creatures.
Right: Nutlets in my Michigan winter backyard provide food and fiber for birds.
A work in progress...
When we allow our shorelines to remain in their natural state, not only does this create animal habitat, it prevents erosion and pollution. Native plants along shorelines help to absorb polluted stormwater runoff that would otherwise enter our lakes, rivers and streams. Often, lakefront property owners will plant turf grass right up to the water's edge. Add lawn fertilizer to the mix and it creates a real problem. Nutrients from fertilizers contribute to excessive algae blooms which can choke out wetland species. It's time to reimagine the perfect turf grass yard and let nature's plants do what they're intended to do. The healthier the shoreline, the healthier, cleaner and clearer the water.
Comments