Cephalanthus occidentalis - Buttonbush

Sizes available: Landscape plug

Basics: zones 5-9, full to part sun to part shade, 5-12' x 4-8', 1 inch wide fragrant, satellite-like spheres of tiny, white, tubular flowers bloom in mid summer, adaptable to a wide range of soil types but prefers consistent moisture.

Common names: Buttonbush

Family: Rubiaceae

Origin/Distribution: native to New Brunswick, Quebec, and Upper Michigan, Nebraska, Kansas, and south to Florida, Texas and Central America. Native to Maine. 

Habitat: shallow standing water, low and damp open woods, thickets, swamps, wet edges, river flood plain

More: Buttonbush has a high nectar value for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Ducks and shorebirds eat the seeds, The seed heads are ornamental and I wonder if the flowering and seeded branches would work in flower arrangements. I will keep you posted. This plant is usually found in wet areas, but also occurs on dry limestone bluffs. Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center calls Buttonbush a "handsome ornamental". This shrub can be revitalized and its size kept in check by hard early spring pruning while still dormant. The bark has been used medicinally, but the plant contains potentially toxic glucosides, so proceed with caution.

Nursery: Landscape plugs from New Moon

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons