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Common Buttonbush

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description Common Buttonbush Overview

Common buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, is a deciduous shrub native to wetlands across much of North America. It produces spherical heads of small, tubular white flowers in summer, followed by rounded clusters of dry fruits, and its blossoms provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other insects. The shrub tolerates saturated soil and periodic flooding, making it useful beside ponds, in rain gardens, and in wetland restoration plantings.

help Common Buttonbush FAQ

Can common buttonbush grow in standing water?

Yes. Cephalanthus occidentalis naturally grows beside ponds, streams, swamps, and other wetlands, and it tolerates periodically flooded soil. It is a poor choice for a dry bank unless it receives dependable irrigation.

What pollinators visit buttonbush flowers?

Its spherical summer flower heads supply nectar to bees, butterflies, and other insects. The protruding styles give each head the pin-cushion appearance behind the common name buttonbush.

How large does Cephalanthus occidentalis become?

In favorable wet ground it can become a substantial multi-stemmed shrub, commonly reaching roughly 6 to 12 feet. Compact cultivars are better suited to small rain gardens where the wild form would become too broad.

Are buttonbush seed heads useful to wildlife?

Yes. After flowering, the round heads mature into clusters of nutlets eaten by waterfowl and other birds. The shrub's dense branches also provide cover around pond and wetland margins.

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