Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills

Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)

Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) flowers. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2019-06-20, Thomas Jefferson Community Center.

Bombus griseocollis (brown-belted bumble bee) on Cephalanthus occidentalis

Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) nutlet clusters. Photo © Mary Free, 2019-07-28, Simpson Gardens, Alexandria, VA.

Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) shrub dotted with fruit. Photo © Mary Free, 2019-07-18, Simpson Gardens, Alexandria, VA.

Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) fruit in August. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2014-08-24, Kenilworth Aquatic Garden.

Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush) in September landscape. Photo by Elaine L. Mills, 2014-09-26, Green Spring Gardens.

Persistent fruits exposing nutlets of Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush)

Persistent fruits (nutlets) of Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush) in February.

Note: Click on images to see enlarged photos, captions, and photo attributions.
On a mobile phone, click on the information symbol (circle with a letter ℹ︎ symbol).

The sweet-scented, fuzzy white globes of Buttonbush are familiar to those who spend time fishing or lounging along a river or pond. This wide-spread native,* a favorite of wildlife, is so common it is often overlooked. The Virginia Native Plant Society honored Buttonbush as Wildflower of the Year in 2022. Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Shrub Flowers,** Shrub with Fruit, Seed Heads*** Height: 6–12 feet Spread: 6–10 feet Bloom Color: Creamy white Characteristics Deciduous shrub with rounded, irregular form Oval, glossy, (mostly) opposite medium green leaves Spherical heads of densely-packed, fragrant, tubular flowers w/ long exserted styles early to mid-summer Seed heads of pyramid-shaped nutlets mature from pinkish-red to brown and persist into winter Inconsequential yellow autumn foliage Attributes Tolerates floods (up to 36”); intolerant of drought No serious pests or diseases Deer occasionally severely damage Attractive winter silhouette Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, song- birds, waterfowl; larval host for Hydrangea and Titan sphinxes and Beautiful Wood-nymph moth Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average to rich Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade, Shade (but needs sun to flower) Water Requirements: Moist, Wet Fast-growing and can be heavily pruned to control height and spread Excellent Replacement for Buddleia davidii and hybrids - Butterfly Bush Reshape in spring and remove any dead growth *It is mostly frequent-to-common throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region except in some of the northern counties of PA. **Pollinators pictured are a two-spotted bumble bee (top) and a European honey bee (middle). *** Seed heads mid-July and early January (bottom, far right). Use in shrub borders, rain gardens, or naturalized Hardiness: USDA Zones 5–9 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free, Glencarlyn Library Community, Central Library, and Simpson Gardens

Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic

Print Version (Legal Size):

Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)

The sweet-scented, fuzzy white globes of Buttonbush are familiar to those who spend time fishing or lounging along a river or pond. This wide-spread native,* a favorite of wildlife, is so common it is often overlooked. The Virginia Native Plant Society honored Buttonbush as Wildflower of the Year in 2022.

*It is mostly frequent-to-common throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region except in some of the northern counties of PA.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants:
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

Back to Top