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AWARD WINNING

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photo of Tim Wood

Meet the Breeder

Tim Wood
Grand Haven, MI, USA

AWARD WINNING

SUGAR SHACK®

Buttonbush

Cephalanthus occidentalis

'SMCOSS'

PP#26,543; CBR#5124

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close up of the spherical white flowers of the Sugar Shack Cephalanthus in garden Glossy foliage and white spherical flowers of Sugar Shack Cephalnthus Close up of white Sugar Shack Cephalnthus orb-shaped flowers Sugar Shack buttonbush in flower in landscape Close up of one round Sugar Shack Cephalanthus bloom Red fall fruit on Sugar Shack buttonbush in garden Close up of branch with red fall fruit of Sugar Shack Cephalanthus YouTube video describing the plant shown on this page
  • Native to North America
  • Fragrant
  • Showy seedheads
Description

Dwarf buttonbush! Buttonbush has long been prized as a native, but it was way too big for most landscapes. Not anymore! Sugar Shack® cephalanthus is half the size of conventional varieties, making it much more friendly to residential landscapes. Large, fragrant, orb-shaped blooms in summer become ornamental red fruit, which persists through fall. Glossy foliage and widely adaptable. Winner of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal in 2024. 

Awards
2024 PHS Gold Medal
USDA Zone
4 - 10 (-30°F/-34°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
4 - 5'
Width
4 - 5'
Finish Time
1 season
Type
Deciduous
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

Soil

In the wild, cephalanthus is frequently found growing on pond edges and riverbanks. It quite enjoys wet soils, though will grow in well-drained and average soils as well.

Pruning

Prune as needed in early spring.

Uses

Mixed borders; naturalizing; hedging; foundation plantings.

Growing Tips

A good plant for naturalizing wet areas. In warmer climates, it typically benefits from some pruning to keep its habit tidy.

  • Plant of the Week: Plant of the Week June 20, 2019
  • Spec Sheet: Sugar Shack® Cephalanthus spec sheet
  • Plant of the Week: Plant of the Week September 1, 2022
  • Benchcard: Sugar Shack® Cephalanthus benchcard
  • Tag: Sugar Shack® Cephalanthus
  • Grower Sheet: Sugar Shack® Cephalanthus grower sheet
  • Booklet/Brochure: A New Vision for Native Shrubs

    • Features: Fragrant, Attracts pollinators, Native, Deer resistant, Clay soil, Alkaline soil, Award winner

    Filters: Botanical genus: Cephalanthus, Common name: Buttonbush, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, USDA Zone 10, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Summer, White flowers, Green foliage

    Features: Fragrant, Attracts pollinators, Native, Deer resistant, Clay soil, Alkaline soil, Award winner

    Filters: Botanical genus: Cephalanthus, Common name: Buttonbush, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, USDA Zone 10, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Summer, White flowers, Green foliage