Buttonbush
(Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Other Information
Physical Characteristics
Type: Shrub
Height: 6 - 12 ft
Spread: 4 - 8 ft
Flower Color: White / Cream
Flower Time: Summer (Jun - Aug)
Fruit Type: Nutlet
Fruit Color: Reddish Brown / Tan
Autumn Color: Insignificant
Sun Conditions: Full Sun / Part Shade
Shade Tolerance: Medium
Moisture Preference: Medium / High
Deer Resistance*: Medium / High
Dog Safe**: No (Toxic)
Conservation Status (MD): SNR - Unranked
Other Names:
*Deer resistance can vary based on many factors
**Always consult with a veterinarian about plants toxic to dogs and other animals
Wildlife Benefits:
Buttonbush flowers produce pollen and nectar that attracts many pollinators including occasionally hummingbirds. The seeds are eaten by birds during fall migration and the winter. Shrubs are sometimes used as cover and nesting sites for birds. It is a larval host for several caterpillar species.
