Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Unique, eye-catching blooms that are a draw for butterflies make the Common Buttonbush or Cephalanthus occidentalis a remarkable addition to a landscape. The flowers look like spiky white orbs that hover near the greenery. In reality, each bloom consists of tiny, sweet-scented tubular flowers. Each spherical flower is about 1.5 inches across. The flowers are offset by large oval, glossy green foliage.
This native plant is well-loved by pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. Larger birds enjoy the seed pods that dangle from the branches during the fall and winter. Common Buttonbush is an upright, deciduous plant with a multi-branched and open structure. This plant thrives in damp conditions, so feature it in beds and borders, especially near bogs, streams, or naturally wet areas. Grow this shrub as a perennial in USDA zones 5 through 8.
Common Buttonbush Care
Plant in full sun in rich, moist soil. Common Buttonbush can grow in shallow standing water; however, the soil should promote drainage while also being neutral to acidic. Keep the soil constantly damp, and watering is unnecessary when grown in a naturally wet area.
Buttonbush is not a heavy feeder, although a light application of balanced fertilizer in the spring will get this perennial off to a good start. This plant does not require much pruning but shape as needed during the early spring.
Common Buttonbush Spacing
Common Buttonbush is an upright shrub that reaches 5 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 8 feet wide. Plant shrubs 4 to 6 feet apart for a dense mass planting.
Common Buttonbush Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Part Sun (3-6 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 5-12 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 4-8 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Common Buttonbush
- Botanical Name
- CEPHALANTHUS OCCIDENTALIS
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!