Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Sugar Shack' (Buttonbush) Unity Grown

Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Sugar Shack' is a showy but compact cultivar of the common buttonbush, a rounded shrub common in wetter areas across the eastern United States. Though the 'Sugar Shack' cultivar has all the appeal of a classic buttonbush, attracting all sorts of pollinators through the late spring and early summer with its round, fragrant white blooms, this specimen grows to a much more manageable size of only 4-6' tall and wide in the home garden, much easier to maintain than the 12-foot sizes of other varieties. Through the later months of summer, flowers turn to eye-catching, round, red seed-filled fruits, perfect for all sorts of native birds, including ducks and other waterfowl if planted near a body of water. 

A staple plant for any pollinator garden, 'Sugar Shack' is deer resistant and adaptable to both full and part sun, preferring sunny spots with consistent moisture, like large rain gardens or in areas alongside creeks, ponds, or rivers. Aside from its smaller size, Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Sugar Shack' also adds additional aesthetic appeal, with new foliage emerging glossy red and maturing to a glossy dark green, finishing with burgundy red hues in the fall and providing winter interest to boot with persistent, bright red, seedy fruits. An adaptable compact shrub that loves a medium-moist to saturated, boggy soils, 'Sugar Shack' buttonbush is ideal for rain gardens, pollinator gardens and wetland restoration, and packs ecological and ornamental value into a smaller footprint, perfect for smaller landscapes.