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Adina rubella is often confused with:
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush flower
Native alternative(s) for Adina rubella:
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush flower
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Baccharis halimifolia Form with feathery achenes  (Greensboro, NC)-Mid Fall
Buddleja alternifolia Alternate leaf butterfly bush
Stewartia malacodendron Stewartia malacodendron

Chinese Buttonbush Adina rubella

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ah-DEE-nah roo-BEL-lah
Description

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:
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fall flowers#white flowers#shrub#deciduous shrub#shade garden#summer flowers#ornamentals#acidic soils tolerant#wet soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fall flowers#white flowers#shrub#deciduous shrub#shade garden#summer flowers#ornamentals#acidic soils tolerant#wet soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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