If you want a plant that is interesting during the entire season, then take a look at this bush.
This is a low-growing, rounded shrub grows 3-4’ tall and wide and supports our native pollinators.
It starts in the spring with glossy red foliage that turns dark green as it matures. By early summer, the sweet-scented pincushion flowers emerge. The flowers will attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
By late summer, the flowers have developed into bright red fruit which is a food for birds and other animals. The fruit remains on the bush throughout the winter.
The leaves are also used as food by the Titan Sphinx Moth.
As the season wears on into autumn, the leaves turn to burgundy before they drop off.
But even without leaves, the rounded form with some twisted branches are interesting to see.
The Sugar Shack Button Bush will do well in swampy areas or in areas that have regular moisture. It does not like a lot of shade and it cannot dry out.
If you need to prune it, remember that the buds for next year set on new growth so it should be pruned early in the season so you don’t cut off next year’s flowers.