First Editions Fiber Optics Button Bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Bailoptics' FIBER OPTICS)
sef-ah-LAN-thus ox-ee-den-TAL-is 'Bailoptics' FIBER OPTICS

Deciduous Perennial in the Rubiaceae Family

Cephalanthus occidentalis, commonly known as buttonbush, is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub native to wetlands across eastern and central North America, including throughout Illinois. It typically grows 6-12 feet tall and wide, with an upright, rounded habit.

Its most distinctive feature is its spherical, pincushion-like white (occasionally pale pink) flower clusters, which appear from June into August and are fragrant, drawing bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths. The flower balls mature into round, crimson-red to brown fruit clusters that persist into winter and feed waterfowl and other wildlife.

Buttonbush thrives in consistently moist to wet soil and tolerates standing water, making it a natural fit for rain gardens, bioswales, and pond or stream edges. It does not tolerate drought - in drier, sunnier spots it needs supplemental watering to avoid stress.

In the landscape it offers multi-season interest: glossy summer foliage that turns yellow-gold in fall, showy summer blooms, and winter-persistent seed heads. It works well naturalized in wet areas, in mixed borders with reliable moisture, or as a wildlife-garden specimen.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 5 - 12 feet tall. 4 - 8 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance - Wet
Zones 5a - 9b (Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Deciduous, Fragrant, Full Sun, Good for Rain Garden, Nativar, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Showy Flowers, Shrub, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
Bloom Period June
Flower Color
 

Plant Club Content
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2024 : 09/05 - 09/08
2023 : 04/13 - 04/16

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!


No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!