• Buttonbush has white globular flowers
  • closeup of the unique, fragrant white flowers of Sugar Shack cephalanthus
  • The persistent red fruits of Sugar Shack buttonbush
  • A specimen of Sugar Shack buttonbush in bloom in a landscape
  • The red fruit of Sugar Shack buttonbush
  • Closeup of the white flower sphere of Sugar Shack buttonbush
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Sugar Shack® Buttonbush - Cephalanthus occidentalis

$23.99
$23.99
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This native shrub blooms with flowers that you just have to see to believe! Every summer (mid-late July for us here in Michigan), it explodes in these amazing, perfectly spherical white blooms which give off a sweet honey scent on the air. They are irresistible to butterflies and other pollinators. What's special about Sugar Shack buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is that it's a fraction of the size of conventional buttonbush - it's perfectly sized even for small yards. After the flowers fade, they leave behind bright red fruits that bring color and beauty clear through the first frost. Very glossy foliage keeps it eye-catching beyond its bloom time as well.

Plant Sugar Shack buttonbush on its own as a commanding specimen, or group together as a hedge or backdrop to your pollinator garden. This durable native plant is unbothered by deer and grows well even in very wet soils. 

 

Vital details:

Size: 4-5' tall and wide

Light: full sun (6+ hrs/day), part sun (4-6 hrs/day)

Water: Average moisture

Hardiness: USDA zone 4-10 (Find your hardiness zone)

Pollinator value: attracts butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Notable features: Proven Winners, fragrant, native, deer resistant, good for hedges.

Maintenance: Benefits from a good 2-3" layer of shredded bark mulch. Regular pruning is not required, but if you wish to prune, do so in early spring, just before the new growth begins to emerge. Thrives in moist to wet soils. 

Pot size: one quart

Plant name: Cephalanthus occidentalis 'SMCOSS' pp#26,543, cbr#5124

 

Buttonbush has white globular flowers
closeup of the unique, fragrant white flowers of Sugar Shack cephalanthus
The persistent red fruits of Sugar Shack buttonbush
A specimen of Sugar Shack buttonbush in bloom in a landscape
The red fruit of Sugar Shack buttonbush
Closeup of the white flower sphere of Sugar Shack buttonbush

FAQs

Care & Planting Guide

After your plants have arrived:

The plants in this box have just spent a lot of time being jostled around in the dark and must be unboxed right away. Unpack the entire box, removing packaging material and plants. Remove any plastic covering the pot and/or soil surface and check if the soil is dry. Water anything that is dry or looks wilted. Any plants that have come unpotted during shipping can be replaced in their pots and their roots covered with soil.

Place plants in a cool, shaded spot out of direct sunlight for 24- 48 hours after unpacking them. This allows them a recovery and acclimation period before planting. If you must hold them longer, place them out of direct sunlight, wind, heat, and cold. Check daily for watering.

Our Guarantee

Our Guarantee

No Risk 60 Day Guarantee

We guarantee that you will be satisfied with your purchase and that your plants will arrive healthy, free of pests and diseases, and true to name.  If for any reason you are dissatisfied, notify us within 60 days of receipt of your order and we will refund you.

Fall Guarantee

Notify us within 7 days if you have a concern about orders shipped in autumn so we can make a note of it.  Warranty on such plants is extended to May 31 of the following year.  Our fall guarantee does not cover plants that are not hardy (i.e., able to survive winter) in your area, so please verify your USDA hardiness zone before purchasing. If you have questions about whether a plant can survive winter in your area, please call us before purchasing.

Our Larger Root Systems

We ship jumbo size plants with hefty root systems that outperform smaller plants obtained from other mail order nurseries.

Shortages/Damages

We take great pride in our packaging.  Please contact us immediately if any of your boxes arrive damaged, or if you find any shortages or inconsistencies in the order. Please note: multiple boxes shipped by Fed Ex might not always arrive the same day. For more information, please see our shipping page.

Dormant Plants

Any plant shipped dormant in the spring is guaranteed to break dormancy even if it takes more than one month.  Call us directly if you have any concerns.

Photos

Photos of the plant(s) will be required so that we may provide the best assistance possible.

Refunds

A plant refund is based on the plant cost less discounts and shipping charges.  Allow up to 2 weeks for processing.  We reserve the right to request a return of an item. Click here to request a refund.

Product Care

After 60 days, we cannot be responsible for product that is in your care.  This includes overwintering, animals, insects, diseases, poor planting, plants beyond their hardiness zone, drought, flooding, etc.  Our expert staff is here to assist you with any problem you may be experiencing.  Our goal is that you are successful with our product.

Our Record

Our parent company, GreatGardenPlants.com, has successfully shipped high quality plants for more than ten years.  We take the same pride in the quality of plants sold here at ButterflyBushes.com.

USDA Hardiness Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones Map

ZONE HARDINESS

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has devised a system to provide gardeners with a basic guide to plant hardiness – how much winter cold a plant can withstand. The Hardiness Zone Map system divides the United States and Canada into numbered zones based on lowest average winter temperature. Even within a zone, different micro-climates exist, such as large urban areas which may be warmer or land situated at different elevations.

WHAT EFFECTS PLANT HARDINESS

The Hardiness Zone Map is a valuable tool but it is not foolproof. There are a variety of factors that can influence the hardiness of a given plant in a garden. These factors include: soil type, drainage, snow cover, exposure to wind, winter, rainfall (or lack of), as well as fluctuations in temperature.

HOW IT WORKS ON OUR SITE

When you are on a plant page, scroll down until you see the bold "Hardiness" text.

Shipping Policy

Use collapsible tabs for more detailed information that will help customers make a purchasing decision.

Ex: Shipping and return policies, size guides, and other common questions.

Shipping Policy

How to Contact Us: 
General Customer Service & Phone Orders:
Phone: 1-877-447-4769 (Monday-Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST).
Mail: ButterflyBushes.com, 12601 120th Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Email: customerservice@butterflybushes.com

Shipping costs

We try to keep shipping rates as low as possible to offer you the best value. Unlike other companies, with us, when you buy more, you save more on shipping! Our standard rates are:

 Order Value:

Shipping Cost:

$0.01 – $49.99

 $16.99

$50.00 – $69.99 

 $9.99

$70.00 – $124.99

 $4.99
$125.00+ FREE

 

Don't worry: our discount rates don't mean we cut corners on shipping. Our professional shipping staff packs each order - each plant! - with the care they'd take in their own gardens. Your plants will arrive in good, healthy condition, ready for you and your visiting pollinators to enjoy.

Ship Schedule

Shipping will begin April 7 and close October 18, 2025. Once the beginning date for shipping in your zone has passed, we ship your order within three business days of when you placed it, provided all plants you ordered are in stock.

Not sure what zone you are in?  Use our map to find yours by ZIP code.  

Shipping Methods

Orders within the 48 contiguous states are shipped via Fed Ex Home Delivery Service, which delivers weekly Tuesday-Saturday. All orders require a street address.  We are unable to ship to Alaska, Hawaii, APO/FPO military address or PO boxes.

 

Customer Reviews

Based on 24 reviews
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M.T.
Sugar Shack Buttonbush

The plant came packaged very well and in excellent condition. It was planted right away and is being carefully watered, as buttonbush are moisture-loving shrubs. It is growing and looking vibrant and healthy. Now I'm looking forward to seeing the flowers!

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Katherine M.

Of all the plants I’ve ordered online, these were by far the most carefully packed. They arrived quickly and were in perfect, healthy condition. Highly recommend! Will order here again!

L
Les H.
Sugar Shack® Buttonbush

plant arrived in great shape and so far i haven't killed it
it's actually getting new growth

J
Janice V.

I am extremely pleased with the quality and condition of this plant. I have ordered from several different nurseries over the years but I have never received plants as healthy and lush at this price point. Well packaged and very fast shipping. Good selection of native plants at this nursery. I will definitely be ordering again.

L
Lladi M.

These plants are lovely and very healthy. I'm very pleased with this order.

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