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Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, in flower showing the spherical white flower heads. Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, in flower showing the spherical white flower heads. Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Buttonbush

Ornamental · Buttonbush

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Native wetland ornamental buttonbush shrub

$38.00
Container

Live plant sales are dormant for winter. Pickup returns April 1, 2027.

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Local pickup only in Cumming, Iowa, April 1 to October 1, by appointment. Plants do not ship. Details

  • Guaranteed true to name
  • Inspect at pickup; decline it for a full refund
  • All sales final. Policy
Hardiness
Zone 4 to 10.
Pollination
Self-fertile

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At a glance
Format
A seed-grown Buttonbush in an air-pruned container. On its own roots. Each seedling is genetically unique. Seed-grown, container-grown.
Use
Pollinator and wildlife plantings, rain gardens, pond edges.
In bloom
White spheres, summer
Bloom
Mid to late summer, golf-ball-sized white spheres heavy with nectar.
Site
Tolerates wet soil and standing water; also grows fine in average garden soil.
Origin
Eastern North America. Cephalanthus occidentalis, a native wetland shrub
Native status
Native across most of the eastern and central United States.

Rarity score

How we score rarity

About this variety

A native wetland shrub grown for its unusual spherical white flower clusters, not for fruit, and heavily visited by pollinators.

The spherical white flower heads are a heavily used nectar source for butterflies and native bees.

Growing

Pollination. Self-fertile and heavily insect-pollinated. One plant will set seed

Growing guides: Choosing natives and ornamentals Planting Winter Injury

Where it came from

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Reported. A credible third-party source, not independently verified. How we grade our records

What arrives

Container sizes

Two deep air-pruned container sizes drawn to one scale, with a 12 ounce can for comparison
A, Medium, 3 by 8 in. B, Large, 4 by 14 in. C, a 12 oz can, for scale. Exterior dimensions, width by depth, drawn to one scale. Plant height varies by plant.

Parts of the plant

Line drawing of a seed-grown plant in a deep air-pruned container, with numbered parts
  1. Stem. The whole plant grew from one seed. There is no graft.
  2. Root collar. Plant it at the soil surface, at the depth it grew.
  3. Taproot and laterals. The deep container keeps the main root straight.
  4. Air-pruned container. The plant comes in the container it grew in.

Drawing not to scale. Planting guide

Pickup, shipping and policy

Pickup

Usually ready 2 to 4 days after you order; we email you to set a time.

Inspect at pickup

Look it over when you collect it. If you do not want it, leave it and that item is refunded in full.

All sales final

Every plant leaves here correctly labeled and true to name. Cancel before pickup for a full refund. Full policy

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