Wednesday's Story

Buttons…

For the most part I consider functional, though on occasion I’ve been known to purchase a sweater, shirt or dress because of its pretty or unique buttons. My favorite purchase is a grey, wool winter sweater that has four half-inch round, beveled buttons with rhinestones, and they sparkle in any kind of light. Another button I love may fit in a buttonhole, but it grows in my garden. Though it doesn’t sparkle like the rhinestones, it still always catches my eye.

points of interest

Bright blue, tubular outer petals orbit reddish-violet inner florets to form hemispherical flowerheads spring to midsummer. Overlapping bracts with hairy, black edges create an involucre at the base of the flower. Leaves are lance-shaped with woolly undersides. Stems are also woolly. Mountain bluet is rhizomatous, mat forming, self seeds and is attractive to bees and butterflies. Grow in border or rock garden.

general care

Requires moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Prefers neutral to alkaline soil. Sow seeds in late summer.

friday’s flower fact

Perennial Blue Bachelor’s Button, also known as Mountain Bluet, will re-bloom in the fall if cut back after first flowering.