Melinda Myers

Buttonbush

Botanical Name

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Min Zone

3

Max Zone

11

Height

3 to 6 feet, occasionally 10 to 15 feet in the southern part of its range

Width

6 to 18 feet

Flowers

Summer: small, 1 inch ball-like clusters of creamy white flowers

Fruit

1 inch rounded mass of nutlets which persists through winter

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Moist to wet soils, adaptive to most soils except dry

Planting & Care

• Attacts bees, butterflies and birds
• Easily propagated by hardwood and softwood cuttings
• Excellent for naturalizing in wet areas
• Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins
• Sensitive to drought and deep shade

Problems

None serious

Varieties

• Bieberich - 8 to 10 feet rounded form
• Sugar Shack - compact 3 to 4 feet high, red fruit