Chinese buttonbush is a deciduous shrub in the madder family (Rubiaceae) native to China and Korea found along streams, rivers and beaches. The Genus name is Greek for clustered regarding the dense-headed flowers. The specific epithet is Latin meaning little red or somewhat red referring to the reddish margins on plant leaves. The shrub will grow 5-10 feet tall and wide with an open form and arching branches. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist to wet well-drained soils. It will tolerate periodic flooding to dry conditions and can be grown in colder zones but will die down to the ground in winter and grow back in spring as a smaller shrub. The flowers appear in spring through summer and are rounded with protruding styles giving it a pin cushion look. The leaves are glossy green providing a nice backdrop to the flowers. The native North American buttonbush has showier flowers and is more readily available. Chinese buttonbush could be used in a rain or water garden or along banks, streams and ponds. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems ]
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The opposite, simple, lustrous, glossy, dark green leaves are 1 to 2 inches long. The margins are reddish. The leaves' luster provides a mirror-like reflection.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The creamy white, uniquely shaped, slightly fragrant flowers bloom as a rounded head summer to fall. They may be tinged with pink. Male and female flowers are found on the same plant.