Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis

Image by Helga Kattinger
Summary
The alternate common name for buttonbush, ‘honey ball’, is a clue to the allure it holds for pollinators. The unique, Sputnik-shaped white flowers are a veritable fountain of pollen and nectar for many butterflies and bees. Blooming throughout the summer, it draws the attention of people and pollinators alike, and is an excellent native alternative to butterfly bush (Buddleia).
Button bush loves wet feet, and can even withstand flooding. It’s tolerant of all soil types and grows in sun or shade (though blooms will be more abundant in a sunny location). It quickly grows to its mature height of 6-8 feet, and can be pruned right down to the ground in spring to control any tendency towards legginess.
More Details
FAMILY
Rubiaceae (Madder)
BLOOM TIME
June-August
FLOWER
White
MATURE SIZE
6-10 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Sun, part shade, shade
SOIL CONDITIONS
Medium to moist soils
NATIVE STATUS
PA Native
Ecosystem Connections
When buttonbush’s blooms are spent, they transform into round red seed heads (or ‘buttons’), which contain pairs of nutlets that are eagerly sought by birds and other wildlife. The leaves of this deciduous shrub are host to the striking hydrangea sphinx moth (Darapsa versicolor).