Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
If you are looking to add a touch of whimsy to a landscape without sacrificing any bit of functionality, the Magical Moonlight buttonbush may be the perfect plant. Hundreds of tiny white flowers combine to form the plant’s showy white blooms, which look like pom-poms. The blooms are very fragrant and attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The Magical Moonlight buttonbush has few care requirements and grows well where other plants would suffer.
Buttonbush has also been called honey-bells and is native to the U.S.; it was often cultivated by beekeepers as a pollen and nectar source. The Magical Moonlight is a dwarf hybrid of the common buttonbush. The ability of the buttonbush to thrive in wet environments and boggy soil make it ideal for planting in rain gardens, troublesome low areas, or near downspouts where many other plants would struggle. This compact plant even performs well in a large outdoor container.
Magical Moonlight Buttonbush Care
The ideal site for this plant offers full sun, but it can tolerate partial sun or light shade. The best soil is moist and rich in organic matter. Work compost into the ground at planting if soil is poor. Water the buttonbush regularly if it is not in a naturally-moist area. Applying organic material mulch over the roots of the buttonbush will help to conserve soil moisture.
If a buttonbush starts to look unruly or gets too big, you can give it a rejuvenation pruning. Simply cut it back close to the ground in early spring before new growth emerges.
Magical Moonlight Buttonbush Spacing
Magical Moonlight buttonbush can grow five to eight feet tall with a mature spread of four to six feet, so it is more compact than other types of button bushes. Plant them three feet apart if you want them to grow together in a mass or up to eight feet apart for a more natural look.
Magical® Moonlight 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 Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 5-8 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 4-6 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
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Magical® Moonlight Buttonbush
- Botanical Name
- CEPHALANTHUS MAGICAL 'MOONLIGHT'
- 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!