10/04/2026
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a native, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub famous for its fragrant, spherical, pincushion-like white flowers that attract a wide variety of pollinators.
Key Features & Care
• Size: Grows 6 to 12 feet tall (sometimes up to 20 feet) in the wild, though compact cultivars like 'Sugar Shack 2.0' stay a tidy 3 to 4 feet.
• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
• Soil & Water: Prefers medium-wet to wet soils, swamps, and pond margins. It loves "wet feet" and tolerates standing water up to 3 feet, but it will not survive in dry soil.
• Hardiness: Generally hardy across USDA zones 4 through 9.
• Wildlife Value: Highly valued by bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and waterfowl that eat the persistent winter seed heads.
