Buttonbush

Tagged as: Butterflies, native, Plants for Shady Sites, Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds, Plants Tolerant of Wet Sites

Botanical Name: Cephalanthus occidentalis*
Common Name: Buttonbush

Updated 2/2012

Click image to enlarge

form	leaf

fruit	trunk

Height: 6-12'  Spread: 12-18'  Habit/Form: Upright arching Growth Rate: Medium
Zone: 5-10

Cultural Requirements: Sun to part shade; requires moist to wet soil; sensitive to drought and deep shade

Ornamental Characteristics:  late emerging glossy green leaves; fragrant, clusters of flowers in mid-summer; hard, 1-inch, ball-like fruit persistent throughout winter

Uses in the Landscape:  naturalizing in wet areas

Host Nectar Source/Butterflies Attracted: Tiger Swallowtail, Painted Lady, Silver-Spotted Skipper

Birds Attracted: 24+ species, including robin, kingbird, and towhee

Plant Appeal for Birds: Nutlets persist through winter

Plant tolerant of flooded areas for extended periods of time.

* Native to Midwest

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