Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Shrubs
Cephalanthus occidentalis
button bush
An open-branched, deciduous bush or small tree. The oval leaves are up to 18cm long, and the young stems are often red-flushed. Small, scented, creamy-white, tubular flowers are carried in dense balls 1.5cm across in late summer or early autumn
Other common names
button willowglobe-flowered bush
see morehoneybells
little snowballs
swamp globeflower
white pond-dogwood
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Sand
Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Cream | Green | |
| Autumn | Cream | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Foliage may cause severe discomfort if eaten. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
- Genus
Cephalanthus are deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs. The small, fragrant flowers are carried in spherical clusters
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- N America
How to grow
Cultivation
Needs fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Pests
Generally trouble free
Diseases
Generally trouble free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.