Embedded Files
Cephalanthus occidentalis
What it looks like in our garden
Benefits
Use Ornamental: Showy, Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Fruits ornamental, Bog or pond area, Aromatic, Water garden.
Use Wildlife: Nectar-butterflies, Nectar-bees, Nectar-insects, Fruit-birds
Warning: The poisonous foliage of this abundant and widespread species is unpalatable to livestock. The bitter bark has served in home remedies, but its medicinal value is doubtful.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate
Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Common buttonbush is a spreading, multi-branched shrub or sometimes small tree with many branches (often crooked and leaning), irregular crown, balls of white flowers resembling pincushions, and buttonlike balls of fruit. Buttonbush is a handsome ornamental suited to wet soils and is also a honey plant. Ducks and other water birds and shorebirds consume the seeds.
Butterflies and Moths that feed off of the Buttonbush
Titan sphinx
(Aellopos titan)
Hydrangea sphinx
(Darapsa versicolor)
Birds and wildlife that are supported by the Buttonbush
The flowers on a buttonbush tree attract butterflies, moths, bees, and even hummingbirds. These insects and birds feed on the nectar produced by the flowers.
After the cluster of tiny flowers is done blooming, it produces a ball of nutlets in the fall that are fed on by ducks and songbirds. These nutlets start out red in color and then turn brown as they age. Some studies report that over 24 species of birds feed on the seeds produced by buttonbush (Source: The Morton Arboretum).
Deer and a few other mammals will feed on the new growth of the plant, but the plant is known to produce a poisonous substance in its bark and leaves called cephalathin.
When grown near water, buttonbush is often used by wood ducks to rear their brood or as cover. The NRCS reports that the seeds are eaten by 8 species of waterfowl.
Ideal planting conditions for the Buttonbush
Buttonbush requires full sun to partial shade in moist to wet soils. This shrub thrives in low-lying areas that may not dry out until late in the season, such as bioswales or bogs, or pond and stream banks.
Non-Native lookalikes to the Buttonbush
The Buckbrush, which is widely distributed in California, Oregon, and the Baja of Mexico.
Buttonbushes' status in Virginia's landscape
The Buttonbush is very common throughout the east coast and is most frequently found throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. The Virginia Native Plant Society honored Buttonbush as Wildflower of the Year in 2022.
Historic use of the Buttonbush
Among Indians in the American Southeast, the Seminole also utilized the plant to treat urinary blockage, apparently either stones or swollen prostate. The Choctaw and the Chickasaw used a poultice made from the roots for eye problems. A decoction made from the bark was used as an eye bath by the Choctaw (Taylor 1940).
Images links:
Page updated
Report abuse