Scientific Name:

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Common Name:

Buttonbush

Scientific Name Pronounciation:

Seh-fuh-LAN-thus ox-ih-den-TAL-is

Plant Type:

Shrub

Plant Hardiness Zones:

6B through 8B

Plant Hardiness Zone(s):

  • 6
  • 7
  • 8

Usual Size:

8'-12' tall and about half as wide

Flower:

Fragrant flower heads resemble white pincushions covered in tiny, tubular flowers with styles protruding beyond the corollas

Bloom Time Notes:

Summer

Leaf:

Leaves are deciduous, opposite or sometimes whorled in groups of 3 or 4, ovate to oblong, 2-6" long by 2-3" wide

Fruit:

Hard, round, reddish-brown seed capsules, each containing 4 nutlets, persisting from autumn through winter

Wildlife:

Seeds are eaten by songbirds and waterfowl, particularly wood ducks. Flowers are an excellent nectar source for insects. Leaves may be toxic to livestock

Natural Habitat:

Wetlands and floodplains

Propagation:

By seed. Also forms colonies by root sprouts.

Bloom Time:

  • Summer

Sun or Shade:

  • Sun

Companion Plants:

Cultural Notes:

An obligate wetland plant, buttonbush can withstand prolonged submergence. It prefers a lot of sun and is a good choice for open wetland restorations sites.

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