Buttonbush - Cephalanthus occidentalis

Features:  Despite being a native wetland species, this shrub does well in garden conditions. It produces fragrant, white, spherical blooms in late July/early August, then seed heads that turn red, then brown, and are replaced with a small, dry fruit. 

It is a host for members of the silk moth family and some sphinx moths and is a great nectar plant that attract bees, butterflies, moths and sometimes hummingbirds. . It develops attractive red fall color.

Light: Sun to part shade

Soil: Moist or medium

Height: 6-12 feet

Blooms: July to August

Flower color: white

Fall color: yellow to red

Special note: pollinator hot spot, loved by birds

See more information and photos at: Illinois Wildflowers and USDA Plants Database