Buttonbush
Deciduous shrub growing 1-3 m tall. Features glossy, opposite or whorled leaves and distinctive spherical flower heads of white blooms in summer. Prefers consistently moist to wet soils and full sun to partial shade. Tolerates flooding. Attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Seeds are food for waterfowl. Suitable for rain gardens, pond edges, and wetland restorations. Native to wetland habitats across North America.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Time: Mid to Late-Summer
Sun Requirements: Sun to Part-Shade
Moisture: Moist to Wet
Phenology: Leaves emerge late May. Distinctive round flower heads appear July. Fruits develop August, persisting through winter. Leaves yellow and drop by mid-October. Button-like fruits provide winter interest.
Wildlife Value: Excellent nectar source for butterflies, hummingbirds, and native bees; seeds eaten by waterfowl; dense cover for wetland birds
Habit Over Time: Creates a broad, rounded shrub with a somewhat open growth habit. Stems emerge from the base in a vase-like pattern, allowing glimpses through the plant even when in full leaf. While it can spread slowly through root suckers, new stems typically emerge close to the parent plant. The open structure allows other plants to grow beneath and around it.
Height: Medium to Tall (6-12 feet)