Buttonbush vs Yellow Hedysarum - TreeTime.ca

Buttonbush vs Yellow Hedysarum

Hedysarum sulphurescens

Cephalanthus occidentalis

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Yellow Hedysarum
Buttonbush

Yellow Hedysarum is a native perennial wildflower recognized for its clusters of pale yellow to creamy-white, pea-like blooms. Flowering from late spring into summer, it adds subtle colour to grasslands, roadsides, and open woods while attracting a variety of pollinators, especially bumblebees.

As a nitrogen-fixing plant, Yellow Hedysarum enriches soils and supports the growth of surrounding vegetation. Its deep taproot and extensive root system make it drought-tolerant and effective at stabilizing soil. Grizzly bears are known to dig up and eat the nutritious taproot. Its resilience and ecological value make it well-suited for restoration, naturalization, pollinator gardens, and erosion control projects.

Buttonbush is a moisture loving shrub that provides year round interest.

It has round, fragrant flowers resembling small buttons or pincushions. The flowers transform into small reddish-brown fruit that persists into winter while the leaves take on shades of red in fall.

Providing essential food to bees, butterflies, and other insects, this shrub is versatile. Try it in your next shrub border.

Yellow Hedysarum Quick Facts

Buttonbush Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 4a
Height: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: long
Growth form: ascending to upright
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: creamy yellow, in dense spikes
Flowers: large, white, spherical
Bloom time: late spring to summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC
Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB
Other Names: sulphur hedysarum, sulphur sweet-vetch, yellow sweet-vetch