Species buttonbush
Off-white flower with style, yellow buds and stigma, lime sepals and leaves, yellow midrib, veins, and blades.

buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Also Known As - Common Buttonbush,Button Willow,Button Ball,Button Willow,Button Ball
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is an amazing shrub species as it thrives in various types of soil and is highly adaptable to different landscape settings. It’s an extremely attractive plant with its round, fragrant clusters of white flowers and bright green foliage which turns shades of yellow and red during fall. This native North American plant is extremely low-maintenance as it doesn’t require pruning or special fertilizers and is also easy to propagate by taking cuttings of stems. It’s an excellent insect repellent for mosquitoes and other pests and attracts birds and butterflies. It’s an ideal choice for gardeners looking to add some diversity to their gardens.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

Partial Shade, Shade

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Clay Humus Rocky

Fruits:

red,maroon Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Buttonbush should be watered once every week to 10 days. The amount of water used at each watering should be enough to thoroughly saturate the soil, as this plant likes moist soil and will not tolerate being wet for extended periods of time. When watering, ensure that the soil is evenly moist throughout the plant's root zone, which should be about 8-10 inches deep. It is important not to over water the plant, as this can be detrimental to growth. If the soil doesn’t drain well, water less often but in greater amounts.

sunlight

Buttonbush prefers full sun to part shade, but can tolerate some shade if needed. It will do best in 8 to 12 hours of direct sunlight per day, although it will still survive in less than 6 hours. During peak summer heat, it should be provided with some afternoon shade or filtered sunlight to protect it from harsh direct sunlight in the late afternoon and evening.

pruning

Buttonbush, a deciduous shrub, should be pruned during its dormant season. This is typically during late winter to early spring, before growth begins. First, dead or damaged branches should be pruned out, and light overall pruning may be done to maintain a desired shape or size. It may be necessary to moderately prune dead or overgrown branches to encourage new growth. For rejuvenation purposes, older stems can be carefully cut back to ground level. Buttonbush responds well to pruning and does not require heavy pruning. Pruning should be done with care in order to maintain the natural structure and attractive appearance of the shrub.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Buttonbush typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Starts Flowering

Buttonbush typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and July.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush) typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map