Common Name: Buttonbush

Full sun; wet to moderately wet moisture level; grows in a wide range of soils including sands, gravels, loam, silt, clay loam, stiff clays, peats and mucks; slightly acid to slightly alkaline pH.

5-12 feet height by 5-12 feet spread; blooms July-August; creamy white flowers; seeds are globular balls of reddish to brownish nutlets.

Growth Rate:  Medium

Maintenance:  Infrequent disease and insect problems

Propagation:  Germination code A.  Moderately easy from seed and from cuttings.

Native Region:  Statewide

Distinctive native shrub whose common name refers to the one inch balls of fragrant white flowers that grow from the branch tips, giving the shrub a tropical look.  Occurs naturally in swamps and on pond banks.  Needs a reliable source of moisture in the garden.  Transplants well.  Attracts bees and butterflies, particularly large, showy species of butterflies.