Buttonbush Ornamental Shrub {Cephalanthus occidentalis} Fast Growing | Butterfly Attractant | Container Favorite | 15+ seeds Free Shipping!

 

Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, is a distinctive native shrub 

with spherical pincushion blossoms composed of dense clusters of tiny 

white or pale-pink tubular flowers. The fragrant blooms are attractive 

to a wide array of pollinators including butterflies.

 

A mature Buttonbush is a handsome ornamental shrub. Resembling a small 

leaning tree, it grows up to 15 feet on a twisted trunk with many 

branches and an irregular crown. Indigenous to open wet areas and low 

woods, Buttonbush is easily grown in moist or wet soils, including areas 

that experience flooding, making it a good candidate for the rain garden. 

It is adaptable to a wide range of soils, but is not suitable for dry sites.

 

Buttonbush can help preserve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat. 

Waterfowl and shorebirds eat the seeds, and Wood ducks use the plant’s 

structure for protection of brooding nests. It is a useful for erosion 

control or stream bank stabilization, as well.

 

Several silkmoths, the Beautiful Wood-Nymph, and other Lepidoptera are 

known to use Buttonbush as a host plant.

 

Planting and Cultivation Notes

Pruning is usually not necessary, but may be done in early spring for shaping. 

If plants become unmanageable, they can be cut back near to the ground in early.

spring to revitalize.