In 2023, The North Carolina Botanical Garden is celebrating buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, a large deciduous shrub that occurs throughout central and eastern North America in swamps, depressional wetlands, and along the banks of streams, rivers, and lakes. In mid to late summer, buttonbush explodes with small, fragrant white flowers with long protruding styles that are densely arranged in spherical clusters, resembling little pincushions or fireworks. Buttonbush is also truly a pollinator magnet!

• Type: NATIVE deciduous shrub

• USDA Growing Zones: 5-9

• Sun Exposure: Full-part sun

• Size: 5-12' tall, 4-8' wide

• Fragrant white pincushion blooms bring butterflies and bees in spring; seeds provide food for birds

• Unusual and handsome, thrives in rich, wet soil, good for water margins, boggy areas, and erosion control

Read more about this native shrub from the NC Botanical Garden here: https://ncbg.unc.edu/2023/01/04/2023-wildflower-of-the-year/