Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis

Buttonbush is a deciduous shrub in the Rubiaceae (madder) family and native to East Canada, Central America, Cuba, much of the United States, and is found in all areas of North Carolina. It can grow as a tree up to 20 feet but is usually a small shrub up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide. 

This shrub needs consistently moist to wet, rich soils in full to partial sun. It does well in swamps, streambanks, riverbanks, lakes, and often in standing water up to 3 feet. It is adaptable to various soil types, except for dry ones, and is tolerant of heat and soil compaction. Flowering is poor in the shade or in dry soils. It is multi-stemmed with a rounded to irregular crown and needs little pruning.

In June to September small, fragrant, white, tubular flowers occur in round clusters that have protruding styles, giving them a pincushion-like effect. The fruits are reddish-brown, showy, and persist into winter. Buttonbush has exceptional wildlife benefits, attracting many types of pollinators, waterfowl, birds, and mammals.  It is moderately resistant to browsing by deer.

This plant has a dwarf cultivar available, and both do best in natural areas.

This shrub can be used for erosion control on wet sites. Use it in a rain or water garden, around a pond or along streams and boggy areas with poor drainage. 

This plant was selected as the 2023 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

 VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. (Note that the video mentions "exserted stamens" in reference to the individual flowers in the inflorescence, but they are actually exserted styles.)