Tall Barbara’s Buttons: A Rare Appalachian Treasure Worth Protecting
Meet Tall Barbara’s buttons (Marshallia legrandii), one of the rarest wildflowers in the American Southeast. This unassuming perennial might not make headlines, but for native plant enthusiasts and conservationists, it’s nothing short of botanical gold. Before you start planning where to plant it, though, there’s something crucial you need to know about this special species.
What Makes This Plant So Special?
Also known as LeGrand’s Barbara’s buttons, this native perennial belongs to the sunflower family and grows as what botanists call a forb—essentially a non-woody flowering plant that comes back year after year. Unlike its showier cousins in the garden, Tall Barbara’s buttons has mastered the art of subtle beauty with its delicate, daisy-like blooms that appear in late spring to early summer.
Where Does It Call Home?
This rare gem is native to the lower 48 states, but don’t expect to stumble across it during your next nature hike. Marshallia legrandii has an extremely limited range, growing naturally only in North Carolina and Virginia within the Appalachian region. Its preference for specific mountain habitats has kept it safely tucked away from most of the world.
The Reality Check: This Plant is Critically Rare
Here’s the important part: Tall Barbara’s buttons has a Global Conservation Status of S1, meaning it’s critically imperiled. With typically 5 or fewer occurrences and very few remaining individuals (fewer than 1,000), this species is hanging on by a thread in the wild.
What does this mean for gardeners? If you’re fortunate enough to have access to responsibly sourced material—and we’re talking about seeds or plants obtained through legitimate conservation programs or specialized native plant societies—then you could play a role in preserving this species. However, this isn’t a plant you’ll find at your local garden center, nor should it be collected from the wild.
Growing Conditions and Care
Should you have the opportunity to grow Tall Barbara’s buttons through proper conservation channels, here’s what this mountain native prefers:
- Climate: USDA hardiness zones 6-8
- Soil: Well-drained, likely acidic mountain soils
- Light: Partial shade to full sun
- Water: Moderate moisture, avoiding waterlogged conditions
As a perennial forb, it will return each year once established, but given its rarity, it requires minimal disturbance and careful monitoring. Think of yourself as a plant guardian rather than just a gardener.
Garden Role and Landscape Use
This isn’t your typical landscape plant. Tall Barbara’s buttons belongs in specialized settings:
- Conservation gardens focused on rare native species
- Native plant collections maintained by serious enthusiasts
- Botanical gardens with preservation programs
- Wildflower meadows designed for biodiversity
Its subtle beauty makes it perfect for naturalistic plantings where every species tells a story about local ecology and conservation.
Supporting Pollinators
Like other members of the sunflower family, Tall Barbara’s buttons provides nectar and pollen for native bees and butterflies. While its small population means it’s not a major pollinator resource in the wild, every flower counts when it comes to supporting local ecosystem health.
The Bottom Line for Gardeners
Should you plant Tall Barbara’s buttons? Only if you have access to legitimately sourced material and understand the responsibility that comes with growing a critically imperiled species. This plant represents something bigger than garden beauty—it’s about preserving biodiversity and protecting our natural heritage.
For most gardeners, supporting this species means advocating for habitat protection and supporting organizations that work on plant conservation. If you’re drawn to native wildflowers from the Appalachian region, consider other Barbara’s buttons species or similar native forbs that aren’t facing extinction.
Remember, every rare plant in cultivation is a seed of hope for the future—but only when grown responsibly and with conservation in mind.
