Cephalanthus occidentalis

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.

Nursery: Landscape plugs from New Moon

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons