Cephalanthus occidentalis Sugar Shack ('Smcoss')

RHS Plant Profile
button bush [Sugar Shack]

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Cephalanthus occidentalis Sugar Shack ('Smcoss')?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants

Synonyms

Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Smcoss'

Shrubs

A compact, rounded, deciduous shrub with glossy foliage that emerges red-tinted in spring, matures to green in summer and may turn red again in autumn before falling. Small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers with protruding yellow stamens are clustered together into spherical, stalked heads and followed by red fruits

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rubiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Cephalanthus are deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs. The small, fragrant flowers are carried in spherical clusters
Name Status
Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in neutral to acidic soil that is humus-rich and fertile. Prefers moist, well-drained soil, but can cope with some seasonal water-logging

Propagation

Propagate by layering or semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 6

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free