American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Big lacy flower heads in summer give way to purple-black berries for both birds and your kitchen.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 6–12 ft
- Blooms Jun–Jul
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- Buttonbush
White pincushions
Shrub
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Spherical white 'pincushion' flowers over standing water, swarmed by butterflies and bees.
the Northeastthe Mid-Atlanticthe Southeastthe Midwestthe Great Plainsthe South-Central regionCalifornia
Growing Buttonbush
The premier native shrub for soggy ground, pond edges, and rain gardens. Waterfowl and songbirds eat the button-like seed heads. It’s showy, and salt-tolerant.
Where it grows
Buttonbush is native to the Northeast. In the wild you’ll find it across Alabama · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana and 34 more states. Always confirm it suits your specific county with your state native plant society before planting.
Regional Garden shows Buttonbush on 44 state pages.
Good for
Sourcing
Where to buy Buttonbush
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.
Plant it with
Companions & kin.
Natives that share Buttonbush’s range and conditions.
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
A compact, drought-proof shrub frothing with white flowers that pollinators and hummingbirds adore.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
A low, spreading shrub that blankets dry banks and blazes scarlet and orange in fall.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–6 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
An adaptable, four-season shrub with spring flowers, colorful foliage, and peeling winter bark.
- Full–part sun
- Dry to wet
- 5–10 ft
- Blooms May–Jun