Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 19, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Buttonbush
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a native deciduous shrub found across eastern North America in swamps, pond margins, and stream banks, recognized by its distinctive spherical white flower heads that resemble pincushions and attract an exceptional diversity of pollinators. Its glossy foliage and aquatic adaptability make it valuable for rain gardens and wet naturalized areas. Starting at $19.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Clay, Acidic, Wet
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Higher water demand in summer heat.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage.
Care essentials
Best in full sun to part shade. In NE Florida, site near ponds, rain gardens, or low wet areas — it thrives with consistently wet to saturated soil and will not perform well in dry upland sites.
Requires consistently moist to wet soil; tolerates standing water and periodic flooding. Ideal for stormwater ponds, bog gardens, and pond margins in NE Florida. Supplemental irrigation is needed during drought if not planted at a wet site.
Adaptable to a wide range of soils including clay, sand, and loam as long as moisture is consistently high. No special fertilizer needed for established plants; avoid high-phosphorus fertilizers near water bodies per Florida Best Management Practices.
Similar needs
Fetterbush
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Summersweet
Shares 5 of the same needs: similar light, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Swamp Titi
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Alligator Flag
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
American Hornbeam
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
American Snowbell
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, high water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Buttonbush a good plant for St. Augustine?
Buttonbush is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 4-10 feet × 6-8 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed June 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.