Chinese Buttonbush Adina rubella
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-DEE-nah roo-BEL-lah
- Description
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Adina rubella, or Chinese Buttonbush, is a deciduous shrub that is often grown for its unique blooms or its beautiful foliage. Rubella is one of 11 species of the Adina genus of shrubs and small trees and is distinguished by its dark green leaves that are late to open but make a mirror-like reflection. Adina rubella is similar to our native Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), however, it has smaller leaves and ball-type flowers.
Chinese Buttonbush prefers wet soil and can be typically found in wet sites such as the edge of streams, ditches, and ponds as well as the sandy beaches of China. Although found in wet areas, it is one of few shrubs that will tolerate growing in dry shade.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:
No known serious plant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Adina
- Species:
- rubella
- Family:
- Rubiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Asia, Southern China and Korea
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The creamy white, uniquely shaped, slightly fragrant flowers bloom as a rounded head summer to fall. They may be tinged with pink. Male and female flowers are found on the same plant. The genus name, adinos, means "clustered, crowded" and refers to the tightly clustered heads of flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The opposite, simple, lustrous, glossy, dark green leaves are 1 to 2 inches long. The margins are reddish. The leaves' lusture provide a mirror-like reflection. They are non-showy in the fall.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Shade Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
