Species Common Buttonbush
white-beige flowers with white-yellow stamens, lime fruits, dark-green leaves and lime stems

Common Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis var. occidentalis

Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis var. occidentalis) is a deciduous shrub native to North America. It is found growing in wet environments ranging from swamps and marshes to pond margins and wet meadows. Its rounded, spreading habit forms a dense shrub up to 6 feet tall. In summer, the deep green foliage is covered with clusters of white, fragrant, ball-shaped flowers. These are beloved by pollinators and the fruit that follows is enjoyed by bird species. The root system provides great soil erosion control, making it a valuable asset in streamside plantings.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Branching Centaury (Centaurium pulchellum) should be watered regularly during its growing season. To achieve best results, water once per week, making sure that the soil is moist but not soggy. Watering should be reduced significantly in winter months, since this species prefers slightly dry winters.

sunlight

Branching Centaury requires full sunlight for most of the day. While it can tolerate partial shade, its growth will be stunted if not exposed to several hours of direct sunlight each day. Depending on location, the ideal amount of sunlight for Branching Centaury is between 6-8 hours a day.

pruning

Branching Centaury should be pruned in the fall and early spring, just before the new growth begins. For a mature plant, the cutting should be done once every couple of seasons, and for new plants, about once every season. To prune, cut back about a quarter of the topmost branches to the ground, or to within 3-4 inches of the ground. This will stimulate new growth for a fuller, healthier plant. Always use sterilized tools and prune when the plant is dry.

Season

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

Harvest Fruit

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.