Button Bush

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is one of the best native shrubs for supporting wildlife in moist areas. Its unique, spherical white flowers resemble pincushions and bloom in summer, attracting a remarkable variety of butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. The flowers are followed by decorative seed heads that provide food for ducks and other birds, while the dense branching offers excellent cover for wildlife. Buttonbush thrives in consistently moist soils and even tolerates standing water, making it an outstanding choice for rain gardens, pond edges, low spots, or streambanks. Although it naturally prefers wet conditions, it can adapt to average garden soils with supplemental watering during dry periods.