A one season shrub for damp areas.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), a native shrub growing up to 12 feet high and 6 feet wide in the conditions it thrives in -- partly shaded moist areas in sun or part shade -- is a deciduous shrub, losing its leaves in fall. The fall color tends to be brown to yellow. In spring, it's fairly late to leaf out. So why talk about it? It's a summer shrub through and through and oh so much fun!
It's the buttons. The spherical sputnik like flowers emerge in June, July and sometimes August. They add whimsy to your garden. Bees and moths among other pollinators are highly attracted to the flowers. The leaves are also a glossy green which can add contrast with other plants.
Once flowers are pollinated, the red color emerges, typically in late summer. This is when the shrubs are at their best. It's like a shrub full of gum balls! And this is when birds take notice. On mature shrubs the gum balls, or more properly nutlets, often last through the early part of winter.
There are many native shrubs that grow best in moist soils but will tolerate locations with average moisture. This is not that type of shrub. This is a shrub used to restore wetlands. It really does not tolerate drought like conditions. If you have moist soils though, this may be a go for you. If soils are moist, the shrub can grow in sandy soils and clay soils.
While buttonbush does grow up to 12 feet tall, more typically it grows to 6 to 8 feet and can get an irregular shape as it matures. If you are looking for something smaller, there are several cultivars bred to create smaller shrubs with a more uniform growth habit. The cultivar that seems most available is buttonbush 'Sugar Shack.' It grows 4 to 5 feet high and wide.
Sputniks, gum balls, ping pong balls, spheres or buttons -- whatever word these flowers evoke for you, there is no denying this is a fun plant for your garden (if you have moist soils)!
Happy Gardening.
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