Buttonbush

The pictures above are of the native buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) which has quite noticeable blooms this time of year. This shrub is native to 35 states including Wisconsin. I took both of these pictures at Allen Centennial Gardens (UW-Madison) on Friday although we have buttonbushes at RBG as well. Growing natively along wetland and marsh edges, this large woody shrub can get almost 15' tall with a similar width. While fall color is a muted yellow, the primary feature of this plant is the summer flowers. These white spheres (ping-pong ball sized) attract bees and butterflies and are fragrant (giving this shrub the its other name of "honeyballs"). The seeds of this native shrub are a food source for ducks, geese and six other species of shore birds and waterfowl. Deer use this shrub as a food source and buttonbush is the host for the sphinx moth. At RBG, summer visitors are always asking what this plant is because of the unique flowers which are also quite neat in a fresh arrangement. There is one named variety of this shrub called 'Sputnik' which was found in Oklahoma and promoted for having even larger white flower "balls" with that "satellite-like" appearance.