Easily grown in moist, humusy soils in full sun to part shade. Grows very well in wet soils, including flood conditions and shallow standing water. Adapts to a wide range of soils except dry ones. Pruning is usually not necessary, but may be done in early spring to shape. If plants become unmanageable, however, they may be cut back near to the ground in early spring to revitalize.
Buttonbush is a somewhat coarse, deciduous shrub with an open-rounded habit that typically grows 6-12’ (infrequently to 20’) tall. It is common throughout Missouri, most frequently occurring in wet open areas, low woods, thickets, swamps, upland sink-hole ponds, river bottomland and stream/pond margins (Steyermark). Tiny, tubular, 5-lobed, fragrant white flowers appear in dense, spherical, long-stalked flower heads (to 1.5” diameter) in early to mid-summer. Long, projecting styles give the flower heads a distinctively pincushion-like appearance. Flower heads are very attractive to bees and butterflies. Flower heads mature into hard spherical ball-like fruits consisting of multiple tiny two-seeded nutlets. Fruiting heads usually persist throughout the winter. Ovate to elliptic glossy bright green leaves (to 6” long) are in pairs or whorls. Leaves emerge late in spring (May). Genus name comes from the Greek words cephalo (head) and anthos (flower).
Fragrant, tiny, tubular, white flowers compacted into spherical 1-inch diameter flower heads bloom in early summer on this deciduous shrub that grows to 6-12 feet tall. Each flower has a projecting style which gives the flower head a pincushion-like appearance. Flower heads give way to hard, spherical fruits that resemble old-time dress buttons, hence the common name. This shrub thrives in moist humusy soils with good tolerance for boggy soils and some standing water.
No serious insect or disease problems.
Naturalize in woodland areas, native plant gardens, pond margins, low spots or shrub borders. May also be grown in shallow water at the edge of ponds or large water gardens.
Thank You!
The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers.
Info for
Main Navigation
Quick Links
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110(314) 577-5100 hours and admission
Butterfly House
Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63017(636) 530-0076 hours and admission
Shaw Nature Reserve
Hwy. 100 & I-44 Gray Summit, MO 63039(636) 451-3512 hours and admission