Buttonbush is a tree, a long-term addition to the landscape. Notably, it shrugs off deer. Its summer flowers are a real draw for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
5-7.5
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Buttonbush on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether buttonbush actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score buttonbush against your land's real conditions.
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What Buttonbush is
Buttonbush grows as a perennial and reaches around 15 feet at maturity. It blooms white in summer. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Buttonbush
Buttonbush does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5 to 7.5, on consistently moist ground. It needs a growing season of at least 120 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5 - 7.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
poorly (saturated >50% of year)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
15 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
120+
plant_species_v5.csv
Plant it right
Set buttonbush in full sun with consistently moist soil. Many fruit trees need a second variety nearby to pollinate — check before you plant just one.
Match the soil
Buttonbush prefers pH 5 to 7.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Be patient, then harvest
Prune annually while the tree establishes; fruit trees reward patience with years of harvest. Local Extension guides publish per-cultivar bearing-age tables.
Good to know
Buttonbush is a standout pollinator plant — high value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Buttonbush thrives
Whether buttonbush thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Buttonbush will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether buttonbush actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Buttonbush in my zone?
Zone data for buttonbush is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Buttonbush?
Set buttonbush out in early spring or fall while it's dormant, so the roots establish before the heat of summer. Your local last-frost date — which a Growable Ground report pulls for your exact address — sets the precise window.
How much sun does Buttonbush need?
Buttonbush needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Buttonbush need?
Buttonbush prefers soil pH 5 to 7.5, on consistently moist ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Buttonbush attract pollinators?
Yes — buttonbush's flowers are a strong nectar and pollen source for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Buttonbush safe for pets?
Pet toxicity data for buttonbush isn't yet confirmed. Consult the ASPCA Poison Control database for the latest information.