70 Seeds Buttonbush Honeyball Shrub Cephalanthus occidentalis

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), commonly called Honeyball shrub, is a deciduous North American native known for its distinctive spherical flower heads that resemble small white pincushions or honeyballs. Blooming in mid to late summer, the fragrant globe-shaped blossoms sit atop sturdy stems and stand out brightly against glossy green foliage, creating a striking display in naturalized and ornamental landscapes. This adaptable, moisture-loving shrub brings multi-season interest and a bold architectural shape to pond edges, rain gardens, and mixed borders, growing into a full, rounded form that draws attention whether in bloom or in seed.

Its late-season bloom period extends the floral display well after many spring shrubs have finished, and the round seed heads persist into autumn and winter for continued visual interest in the landscape. The nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to a wide range of pollinators, and the dense branching structure offers cover for birds and small wildlife. Cephalanthus occidentalis works well planted along stream banks, water features, and low-lying areas, or in any consistently moist garden bed, where it can be left to grow naturally or pruned to maintain a more compact habit. A reliable, low-maintenance native shrub for wetland and rain garden plantings.
Species: Cephalanthus occidentalis
Variety: Honeyball
Type: Deciduous flowering shrub
Plant_Habit: Upright, rounded, multi-stemmed
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist to wet, fertile, well-drained to boggy
Days_to_Harvest: Not applicable
Zones: 5-9
Germination: 30-60 days with cold, moist stratification; sow surface and keep consistently moist
Sowing: Sow in fall or stratify 60 days before spring sowing
Spacing: 4-6 feet apart
Notes: Native wetland shrub with globe-shaped blooms in mid to late summer