Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush)

Buttonbush is a handsome ornamental, deciduous shrub with an open-rounded habit that typically grows 6–12’ tall. Tiny, tubular, fragrant white flowers appear showily in spherical, long-stalked flower heads in early to mid-summer. Long, projecting styles give the flower heads a distinctively pincushion-like appearance. Subsequent rounded masses of nutlets persist through winter. Easily grown in moist, humusy soils in full sun to part shade. Grows very well in wet soils, including flood conditions and shallow standing water. Adapts to a wide range of soils except dry ones. Pruning is usually not necessary, but may be done in early spring to shape.

Buttonbush is native to eastern and southern North America. It is a common shrub of many wetland habitats in its range including swamps, floodplains, riparian zones, and moist forest understory. Deer browse the foliage. Wood ducks use the plant as nest protection. Insects and hummingbirds take the nectar, with bees using it to make honey. Buttonbush is a larval host to the hydrangea sphinx, the royal walnut moth, and the titan sphinx. Ducks and other water birds and shorebirds consume the seeds. Maryland DNR lists as deer-resistant. 

BONAP Native Range Map (bright green indicates county native, dark green indicates state native)  

Photo by Kathy Thornton

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