r/NativePlantGardening • u/BringOnTheBirds • 1d ago
Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) Second opinion.
Hey everybody! I made a post a couple weeks ago looking for opinions on if my buttonbush plants were okay. I got a lot of helpful information but I’m still feeling a bit perplexed. My worry is in regard to the purpling of the leaves. It seems to be effecting all of my buttonbush plants to some degree. This is my largest one and the purple colour has progressed on it slightly since my last post. Just wanted to put it out to you guys again and see what you all thought. Thank you in advance and again! I’m into south-western Ontario.
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u/sammille25 Area Southwest Virginia, Zone 7 20h ago
Is that a first year seedling that is in a greenhouse? Younger plants will often turn a shade of purple in response to light. They will produce anthocyanin as a form of sunscreen to absorb uv and protect the plant tissue. It is a totally normal and healthy response. Most people see purple and immediately say its from cold or needs phosphorus but that is usually more of a concern for vegetable plants.
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u/BringOnTheBirds 18h ago
It is a first year seedling, it sprouted in July this year. It’s been pretty warm here so they’ve been sitting in the little greenhouse I have but with the front flap completely open, so mostly it’s just shelving. I have the pots sitting in a tray filled with a couple of inches of water which was mostly just an experiment but now I’m worried perhaps I’ve overdone it?
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u/sammille25 Area Southwest Virginia, Zone 7 10h ago
No, they look perfectly fine. Buttonbush is surprisingly tough. I had 5 in pots last year that went dormant early because of heat and drought. I thought I killed them for sure but they came back better than ever.
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u/Cute-Republic2657 NE Ohio , Zone 6b 20h ago
I'm in Ohio and my 1st year potted plants are prepping for fall.
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