Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Also listed as Cephalanthus acuminatus, Cephalanthus berlandieri
Also known as Common Buttonbush, Honey-bells, Eastern Buttonbush
Climate Match for your location
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Buttonbush is a deciduous shrub prized for its distinctive round, button-like flower clusters that bloom in summer and attract pollinators. It thrives in wet, boggy conditions and is excellent for rain gardens, pond edges, and wetland areas.
Why grow it
Buttonbush outperforms many ornamental shrubs in consistently wet or seasonally flooded sites where most woody plants struggle. Its late-summer bloom timing fills a gap when many pollinators have fewer food sources, and it requires minimal pruning or fertilization once established in appropriate moisture conditions. The persistent seed heads provide winter interest and wildlife food after flowering.
Watch out for
Plants can take several years to reach mature size and full flowering potential, so patience is needed during establishment. In drier climates or poorly drained soils, supplemental water during establishment helps success rates. Pruning is best done in early spring before growth resumes, as late-season cuts may not harden off before frost.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rubiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Buttonbush is a deciduous shrub prized for its distinctive round, button-like flower clusters that bloom in summer and attract pollinators. It thrives in wet, boggy conditions and is excellent for rain gardens, pond edges, and wetland areas.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Buttonbush grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Buttonbush outperforms many ornamental shrubs in consistently wet or seasonally flooded sites where most woody plants struggle. Its late-summer bloom timing fills a gap when many pollinators have fewer food sources, and it requires minimal pruning or fertilization once established in appropriate moisture conditions. The persistent seed heads provide winter interest and wildlife food after flowering.
Watch out for
Plants can take several years to reach mature size and full flowering potential, so patience is needed during establishment. In drier climates or poorly drained soils, supplemental water during establishment helps success rates. Pruning is best done in early spring before growth resumes, as late-season cuts may not harden off before frost.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rubiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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