Pluchea odorata (Sweetscent)

An excellent butterfly attractant, Pluchea odorata (Sweetscent) is an annual or short-lived perennial wildflower boasting dense, flat-topped clusters of rosy pink flowers in mid-summer to fall. The individual flowers lack ray florets. Attractive to bees and butterflies, the blossoms are often used in dried flower arrangements. They are borne atop leafy stalks clad with sweet-smelling, ovate to lanceolate leaves with toothed margins. The flowers give way to inconspicuous achenes tipped with a pappus. Sweetscent occurs naturally in freshwater and salt marshes, swamps, and coastal hammocks. It is primarily recommended for natural landscapes, habitat restorations, wet wildflowers, and butterfly gardens.

• Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
• Prefers full sun in moist to wet, moderately well-drained to periodically flooded sandy, calcareous or organic soils. This plant is moderately salt tolerant, but not drought tolerant.
• Excellent choice for naturalistic landscapes, habitat restoration, cottage gardens, bog gardens, and wildflower gardens.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Propagate by seed.
• Native to the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.