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Buttonbush

Buttonbush

  • Cephalanthus occidentalis
  • A great shrub for pollinators, Buttonbush provides striking white flower clusters that will be a-buzz with floral visitors throughout the bloom period.
Pollinator Type
  • Bees, moths, wasps, flies, beetles, butterflies, caterpillars
Plant Type
  • Deciduous shrub
Zone
  • 5 to 9
Height
  • 5 to 12 ft.
Spread
  • 4 to 8 ft.
Light
  • Partial Shade, Full Sun
Moisture Requirement
  • Medium Soil, Wet Soil
Bloom Color
  • White
Bloom Time
  • June, July, August
Design Considerations
  • Great addition to a rain garden. Needs medium to wet soil, will not do well in dry soils. Foliage is poisonous to mammals.
Care and Maintenance
  • Can prune to help maintain shape, but not always necessary.
Pest and Diseases
  • No major issues.
Establishment and Propagation
  • Start from bareroot or potted plant in either spring or fall.
Commercial Availability
  • Occasionally available.
Alternative Plant Selections
  • Swamp Rose Mallow
Native Status
  • Illinois native statewide.
Fall Color
  • insignificant
Growth habit
  • Rounded shrub with open branching.
Number of Caterpillars that Use this as a Host Plant
  • NA

Photo Gallery
bee

Bees

butterfly

Butterflies

moth

Moths

fly

Flies

beetle

Beetles

wasp

Wasps