Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis

A unique native shrub prized for its distinctive spherical white flowers and its value to pollinators and wetland restoration. 

Buttonbush, also called Button-ball and Honey-ball,  is a deciduous shrub native to East Canada, Central America, Cuba, and much of the US, and is found in all areas of North Carolina. It can grow as a tree up to 20 feet, but is usually a small shrub up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide. 

This shrub needs consistently moist to wet, rich soils in full to partial sun. It does well in swamps, streambanks, riverbanks, lakes, and often in standing water up to 3 feet. It is adaptable to various soil types, except for dry ones, and is tolerant of heat and soil compaction. 

From June to September small, fragrant, white, tubular flowers occur in round clusters that have protruding styles, giving them a pincushion-like effect. The fruits are reddish-brown, showy, and persist into winter. Buttonbush offers exceptional wildlife benefits, attracting a diverse range of pollinators, waterfowl, birds, and mammals. The flowers are a major nectar source for a vast array of pollinators, particularly long-tongued butterflies (like Swallowtails) and various native bees. It is often buzzing with insect activity when in full bloom.

This shrub can be used for erosion control on wet sites. Use it in a rain or water garden, around a pond, or along streams and boggy areas with poor drainage. 

Note for beekeepers. This plant is described in Lovell's, Honey Plants of North America as producing a "mild, light-colored honey of fine flavor."

Propagating from seed. Seeds have a tough seed coat and often exhibit physiological dormancy, requiring cold-moist stratification for reliable spring germination.

Winter sow or sow seeds directly outdoors in late fall (October to December) 1/8 inch deep in a prepared, consistently moist site. The natural winter cold and moisture will provide the necessary stratification, leading to germination the following spring or summer.

Artificial Cold-Moist Stratification 60 to 90 days before you plan to sow in the spring. Mix the seeds with a small amount of moist (not soggy) sand, peat moss, or vermiculite. Place the mixture in a labeled, sealed plastic bag and store in your refrigerator for 60 to 90 days.

Sow: Sow seeds $1/8$ inch deep in small pots or trays filled with sterile, moist seed-starting mix. Water: Keep the soil surface consistently moist. Using the bog method (a tray of water under the pot) can be effective. Place in a warm, bright location.

 Germination can be slow and sporadic, often taking 3 to 6 weeks after the cold period ends.