Cephalanthus occidentalis, Button Bush, Shrub, Gallon pot

Cephalanthus occidentalis, Button Bush, Shrub.

These Button Bush plants are 5” tall in gallon pots, 2nd year.

FS-PS, Zone 4, 12’ x 3-4’, blooms June-August, wet to medium, deer and rabbit resistant.

Buttonbush has one of the most unique flowers of any shrub, and butterflies think so too. Skippers, monarchs, and virtually any butterflies that happen to be passing by love the white flowers. In addition to its appeal for butterflies, buttonbush also serves as a host plant for some of our largest and showiest moths including the titan sphinx and the hydrangea sphinx. Bees also love buttonbush, giving it the second nickname “honeyball.”

Considering the showy blooms, glossy green leaves, fall color, and red “buttons,” buttonbush is a 4-season beauty. It can tolerate shade and a variety of soils, and is the perfect plant for rain gardens because it thrives in wet spots and flooded areas. For a shrub that has a very long bloom and nectar-providing period, you’d be hard pressed to find a more valuable or versatile native shrub for your wildlife garden.

Attracts native bees, honey bees, wasps, butterflies and hummingbirds,