Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Buttonbush prefers partial to full sunshine. It has maximized growth in full sun exposure, but it has to be a delicate balance. Buttonbush is perfect for low-lying, wet areas with mostly sand and silt as soil, but it is adaptive to various soil conditions. It prefers a neutral to slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.8 to 7.2. Buttonbush prefers wet conditions and is not tolerant, so if placed in dry conditions it will need regular watering. 

Growth Habit/Description: The Buttonbush can grow from three to fifteen feet tall. It has a round and open growing habit and needs pruning or selective removal to keep it from looking extremely lanky and disheveled. In optimal conditions the Buttonbush can look like a small tree when fully matured.

Bloom Season: Buttonbush is one of the later plants to leaf out in the US, waiting until in late spring. In summer their flowers appear, being very globe shaped and needlelike.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

No.  Autumnal colors of the Buttonbush are insignificant, being either yellow or brown. When the leaves drop, the gray bark becomes more apparent.

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes.  Buttonbush is a host plant for many caterpillars including but not limited to the Hydrangea Sphinx, Titan Sphinx, and Royal Walnut Moth.

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes. Buttonbush is also important to bees, bumblebees, and other pollinators. The seeds of this plant are also food to 8 different species of birds, and 3 mammals. This plant provides nesting sites for the birds who eat off this plant and deer browse on the foliage of this plant. 

Origin of Name:  Comes from the Greek words "kephale" which means head and "anthos" which means flower.

Related Plant Species:  The Mexican button bush (Cephalanthus salicifolius), as well as many plants in the Rubicae family 

Use For Food/Medicine: Buttonbush has been used medicinally as a tea to induce vomiting, but, the plant is toxic to humans and it is not advised to do this.

Puisis, E. (2023a, May 24). Buttonbush: Plant Care & Growing Guide. The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/buttonbush-growing-guide-5323850 

Butler, J. (2023, July 10). How to grow and care for Buttonbush. Gardener’s Path. https://gardenerspath.com/plants/ornamentals/grow-buttonbush/ 

D., C., & About the Author Christopher D.  Christopher has a Bachelor of Technology degree in nature conservation and is involved in the protection of wild fauna and flora. He has always had a keen interest in the natural world and is actively involved in the . (2024, January 11). How to grow and care for buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Florgeous.  https://florgeous.com/buttonbush-cephalanthus-occidentalis/ 

Last edited by Graydon Anderson, September 2024.