Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
For an attractive, fragrant and native shrub, look no further than Sugar Shack Buttonbush. The native bog plant is an excellent choice for wet areas and rain gardens. Sugar Shack takes on all the qualities of the larger, native shrub, but in a smaller size and with glossy foliage. The 4-foot high and wide shrub bursts with white, button-shaped flowers in spring that turn into red fruit some native wildlife enjoy. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds also flock to the fragrant flowers.
Sugar Shack Buttonbush is native to lowlands such as swamps and floodplains in eastern or southern North America and grows well in zones 4 through 10. Waterfowl and shorebirds graze on the seeds, so this is a wonderful native to include in landscapes near rivers, lakes, oceans or bogs. Planting several Sugar Shacks can form a colorful rain garden or part-sun woodland border. It also can be a thriller in a container with other plants that like moist soil.
Sugar Shack Buttonbush Care
Plant Sugar Shack Buttonbush where it will get at least 4 hours of sun a day. Choose a wet or low area of the garden if you do not live near a natural lowland. Other than a need for watering when conditions are dry, Sugar Shack needs little care. The native can be pruned lightly for shape in spring, but needs little other help to grow, fruit and flower.
Sugar Shack Buttonbush Spacing
For a colorful Sugar Shack Buttonbush hedge or border, space the plants about 3 feet apart to account for their mature size.
Sugar Shack® Buttonbush Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 10 (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
- 3-4 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 3-4 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, Fall Interest, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Sugar Shack® Buttonbush
- Also Known As
- Common buttonbush; Button-willow; Honey-bells
- Botanical Name
- Sugar Shack Cephalanthus occidentalis 'SMCOSS' USPP 26,543
- Brand
- Proven Winners
- Plant Type
- Deciduous
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!