Mostly Texas Natives Nursery -- Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis
(sef-uh-LAN-thus ok-si-DEN-tal-us)
Buttonbush

This Texas native gets its name from the one-inch, white, globe-shaped flowers, which look like pincushions. The creamy white, almost-transparent globes stick out above the attractive foliage from June to September. They are fragrant, too - Buttonbush a member of the Rubiaceae family, which includes gardenias, among others. The shrub is large, getting up to 12 feet here. Attractive leaves grow from many branches and get up to 6 inches long. Leaves fall from the shrub in winter. You won't need to water this attractive specimen once it is established; it goes well in native, WaterWise, even desert landscapes. It is not fussy about soil type. At least 25 species of birds reportedly eat the seeds, which stay on the plant through winter. Plant it in full sun for best flowering. It is a relatively fast grower. According to organic guru Howard Garrett, Native Americans used the root and bark of Buttonbush to treat eye disorders, "the bark was chewed to relieve toothaches and was boiled and used to treat headaches, dysentary, fevers, and stomaches." -- Rick R.

8-12'talll x 10' wide Sun/Part shade Zone 5 native Hummingbirds, butterflies

Find out whether this plant is in stock.

Photo: Janet Novak