Buttonbush is a distinctive native shrub known for its globe-shaped clusters of white flowers that resemble pincushions. Blooming in summer, it provides a dramatic display along pond edges, wetlands, and streambanks. The glossy green leaves and unique flower balls make it a prevalent beauty in the heat of summer.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
•Known for its pincushion-like white flower clusters that bloom from summer into early fall, buttonbush is a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and various pollinators. 
•The spherical seed heads that follow flowering persist into winter and are eaten by waterfowl and songbirds, offering both food and habitat. 
•The dense structure of the shrub provides nesting cover for birds and shelter for amphibians, while its root system stabilizes streambanks and controls erosion.
•Habitat Fit: Thrives in wet to moist soils, including bogs, marshes, stream edges, and even standing water up to three feet deep. 
•Light Needs: Grows best in full sun to partial shade; flowering improves with brighter conditions. 
•Size & Form: Usually reaches 6–12 ft tall and wide, sometimes growing into a small tree up to 20 ft. Multi-stemmed with an open, rounded crown. 
•Flowering & Fruit: Blooms June through September; seed heads last into winter.
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