Buttonbush

Botanical Name

:

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Plant Type

:

Deciduous shrub

Seasons

:

Plant in early spring or fall; Blooms in summer

Sun Level

:

Full sun to partial shade; prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

60–75°F (16–24°C)

Soil Type

:

Moist to wet, loamy, or sandy soil; tolerates clay

Hardiness Zones

:

5–11 (USDA)

Germination

:

Seeds germinate in 2–4 weeks in moist conditions

P.H. Level

:

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.5)

Water/Irrigation

:

Prefers consistently moist or wet soil; drought-intolerant

Fertilization

:

Generally not needed; use a slow-release fertilizer in the spring if soil is poor

Habit

:

Rounded, spreading growth habit with arching branches

Propagation

:

Seeds or softwood cuttings in early summer

Final Plant Height

:

5–12 ft

Spread

:

4–8 ft

Flowers

:

Spherical, white, or creamy-white clusters with a sweet fragrance

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

Uses

:

Rain gardens, wetland restoration, erosion control, pollinator gardens

Companions

:

Swamp milkweed, cardinal flower, Joe-Pye weed, bald cypress

Pruning

:

Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and encourage new growth

Toxicity

:

Mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested

Pests

:

Leaf beetles, aphids

Diseases

:

Powdery mildew, leaf spot, root rot

Fun Fact

:

Buttonbush is often called “honeyball” because its globe-shaped flowers are highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees