Growing common buttonbush

Growing wild in the road ditch that runs in front of my home is a unique and gorgeous wildflower--it is Buttonbush, Common Buttonbush or Cephalanthus occidentalis L. It is also known as Button ball, Button willow, honey-bells, and riverbush. This woody, straight-growing tree-shrub is a delicious favorite of butterflies and bees and at any given time during the summer months, I can find an assortment of butterflies perched on the unusual flowers of this perennial.

Uses

Buttonbush can be used for erosion control and is considered a wetland shrub. It is an excellent plant to include in a wildlife garden as it is enjoyed by several species of waterfowl, mammal and insect. Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds enjoy a good meal of buttonbush nectar.

Native Americans used the bark and roots of this plant medicinally. The bark was made into decoctions and used to stop diarrhea, treat rheumatism and sore eyes and as an anti-inflammatory. It was also used to treat venereal disease, headaches and fevers and as a skin astringent as well as other uses.

Appearance

Buttonbush has shiny green, leathery leaves that are reminiscent of the leaves of Magnolia trees. They can be 2-6 inches in length and 1-3 inches wide. The flowers are white, spiky balls that resemble pincushions. The spikes are in fact the long flower styles. At its most mature height, this plant can grow to become 12-15 feet in height.

Growth Requirements

The plant has a medium drought and fire tolerance and actually does best in wet, moist conditions such as on the edge of a pond or a swamp--such as the ditch that runs in front of my house. It is shade tolerant but prefers full sunlight and has very deep roots. Buttonbush will grow in water that is up to three feet deep but it will not flower well in shade or dry soil.

Blooming and Seeding

This unusual-looking plant flowers and shows off it's white, spiky blooms from about June through September. It produces seeds during September and October, so plan to collect the seed heads during this time.

Propagation

Buttonbush can propagate through seeds or through cuttings. The plant can also be propagated as a bare root plant. The seeding season is in fall and seeds are ready for collection when they turn a reddish-brown color. Seeds can be sown into moist soil in full sun or part shade. For cuttings, snip off a piece of the plant and push it into moist soil and it will take root.

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across the eastern half of North America and can even be found in California and Arizona in the West. Buttonbush has spring growth and flowers in the summer.

Common Buttonbush is a great addition to a wildlife garden and if you keep an eye on it, you will enjoy the variety of critters that visit this plant.

Sources:
Common Buttonbush--Plant Guide
Common Buttonbush--Plant Fact Sheet