Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Round white flower heads give buttonbush its unmistakable summer display. This native shrub brings pollinator activity to damp areas where many garden shrubs struggle.

Use it beside a pond or in a rain garden with consistently moist to wet soil. Sun encourages flowering; dry ground is a poor fit.

Plant Details

• Growth habit: Deciduous, multistemmed shrub
• Mature size: Often 5–12 ft tall and 3–8 ft wide
• Bloom color: Creamy white
• Bloom season: Summer
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Water: Consistently moist to wet; tolerates standing water
• Soil: Rich, moist to wet soil; adaptable to texture
• Hardiness: USDA zones 5–9
• Wildlife value: Flowers attract bees and butterflies; seeds support birds and waterfowl
• Best uses: Pond margins, rain gardens, and wetland edges
• Native range: North America, extending south into Central America
• New England status: Native in all six New England states, including Maine

Water through establishment and dry spells. Not an edible plant; select a site where its natural size fits.