Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis is a deciduous shrub in the Rubiaceae (coffee) family and native to much of the United States. 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.
Growing conditions: 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.
Size at maturity: 12’-20’
Uses: Buttonbush has exceptional wildlife benefits, attracting many types of pollinators, waterfowl, birds, and mammals. Use 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. Decoctions of the bark were used as washes for sore eyes, antidiarrheal agents, anti-inflammation and rheumatism medications, skin astringents, headache and fever relievers, and venereal disease remedies by Native Americans. The bark was also chewed to relieve toothaches.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10
Cephalanthus occidentalis is a deciduous shrub in the Rubiaceae (coffee) family and native to much of the United States. 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.
Growing conditions: 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.
Size at maturity: 12’-20’
Uses: Buttonbush has exceptional wildlife benefits, attracting many types of pollinators, waterfowl, birds, and mammals. Use 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. Decoctions of the bark were used as washes for sore eyes, antidiarrheal agents, anti-inflammation and rheumatism medications, skin astringents, headache and fever relievers, and venereal disease remedies by Native Americans. The bark was also chewed to relieve toothaches.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10
Cephalanthus occidentalis is a deciduous shrub in the Rubiaceae (coffee) family and native to much of the United States. 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.
Growing conditions: 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.
Size at maturity: 12’-20’
Uses: Buttonbush has exceptional wildlife benefits, attracting many types of pollinators, waterfowl, birds, and mammals. Use 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. Decoctions of the bark were used as washes for sore eyes, antidiarrheal agents, anti-inflammation and rheumatism medications, skin astringents, headache and fever relievers, and venereal disease remedies by Native Americans. The bark was also chewed to relieve toothaches.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10