Magical Moonlight Buttonbush

Magical Moonlight Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Kolmoon')

Magical Moonlight Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Kolmoon') is a compact, deciduous shrub known for its creamy-white globe-shaped flowers and adaptability to wet or average soils. A refined selection of native buttonbush, this cultivar offers a smaller, more manageable size while delivering pollinator-friendly blooms and striking ornamental interest from summer through fall.

Distinctive Features

'Magical Moonlight' features unique, spherical flower clusters that resemble pincushions, blooming in mid to late summer. The creamy-white blooms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This cultivar maintains a tight, upright form�typically maturing around 4 to 5 feet tall and wide�making it suitable for smaller landscapes, rain gardens, or naturalistic plantings. Glossy green foliage transitions to yellow in fall, and ornamental seed heads provide late-season interest.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist to wet soils; tolerates periodic flooding but adapts to average garden soil
• Water: High to moderate; thrives in consistently moist areas
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5�9

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Unusual flower shape and summer blooms draw attention in wet or mixed borders
• Rain Gardens: Handles seasonal saturation with ease
• Pollinator Gardens: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
• Naturalized Areas: Blends well into native and wildlife-friendly plantings
• Waterside Plantings: Excellent for pond edges or low-lying areas

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Requires consistent moisture, especially in full sun
• Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and encourage flowering
• Fertilizing: Generally not required; amend soil if nutrient-deficient
• Mulching: Helps retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Protection: Native species; tolerant of local pests and adaptable to tough conditions

Why Choose Magical Moonlight Buttonbush?

• Compact Native: Offers the benefits of native buttonbush in a more manageable size
• Pollinator Friendly: Supports beneficial insects with nectar-rich blooms
• Moisture Tolerant: Thrives in rain gardens, pond edges, and low-lying areas
• Extended Interest: Flower balls, seed heads, and fall color add multi-season appeal
• Focal Point: Unusual flower form and native adaptability make it a standout in wetland or pollinator plantings

Cephalanthus occidentalis 'Kolmoon' Magical Moonlight Buttonbush brings native beauty, wildlife value, and long-season interest to gardens�especially those with wet or low-lying conditions�while offering a refined, compact focal point for pollinator-friendly designs.