White flower of Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)Psamson at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Buttonbush (Cephalanthis occidentalis) at the margin of a pondStickpen, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Host Plant: none

Nectar Plant: swallowtails and monarchs, as well as other butterflies and hummingbirds

Flower Color: white to pink

Growth Habit: Shrub that grows to 12 feet tall

Range in North America: Most of North America except for the northwest.

Exposure: Full Sun to partial shade

Hardiness: Zones 3-11

Soil Requirements: Moist soil, sometimes with standing water, and high organic content

Button Willow, Honey Bells, Honeyballs, Little Snowball, Globe Flower

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), a member of the Rubiaceae (Madder Family), is a shrub that grows to 12 feet tall and has white to pink flowers that bloom in the summer.  Waterfowl enjoy the seeds in the fall.

Buttonbush is a nectar plant for butterflies, especially swallowtails and monarchs.  Hummingbirds are also fond of the flowers.

Ruby Throated Hummingbird – mefisher, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Buttonbush is often found growing in wetlands, floodplains and the margins of waterbodies.  It is native in most of North America except for the northwest.

Buttonbush leaves are arranged in a whorl and the flower looks like a pin cushion.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) Links

Webpages

North Carolina Extension Gardener

Missouri Botanical Garden

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Videos

GardenClips

Plant Sleuth

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