Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
This is a native bush that is ever-changing in nature, and won’t look the same from one season to the next. This shrub begins in the spring with green foliage, and eventually blooms in white in the summer. However, this shrub still has yet to undergo another transformation in the late summer and early autumn. In the late summer, these white blooms turn to red seed pods perfect for native songbirds. Even better, the foliage then turns to orange and red, perfect to welcome cooler temperatures.
This bush is hardy in zones five through nine. It carries a beautiful fragrance, it truly is versatile in use and can be placed in borders, within many landscapes. It attracts butterflies and bees, and it is a favorite among native songbirds. It’s low maintenance, it prefers moist, well drained soil but can also survive in wetlands, or along the water's edge.
Crimson Comet Buttonbush Care
The Crimson Comet Buttonbush grows upright. It is versatile with regards to sun exposure, so can be placed in full sun, partial sun, or partial shade. It prefers moist, well drained soil but it can actually thrive in wetlands, and within a particularly rainy mud season. Given its tolerance to both light and soil moisture, this plant is low maintenance in nature.
This shrub can be pruned in the late winter, or early spring for shaping purposes, though not entirely necessary. If this plant needs quite a bit of rejuvenation, it can be cut down to the ground in the early spring.
Crimson Comet Buttonbush Spacing
This is a large shrub. It can grow anywhere from six to ten feet high once established. As such, it should be spaced six to ten feet apart.
Crimson Comet Buttonbush Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 9 (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 Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-10 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 6-10+ 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, Red
- Foliage Description
- Green, Red
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Crimson Comet Buttonbush
- Botanical Name
- CEPHALANTHUS OCCIDENTALIS 'CRIMSON COMETS'
- 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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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
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!