You can enjoy a long season of interest from Cephalanthus, with its red-flushed stems and lush green foliage in spring and summer, followed by a profusion of white pompon-like flowers through late summer and autumn. This easy to grow shrub is hardy, fairly unfussy and very low maintenance, making it a great option for anyone who has less time to spend working on the garden. It's also an attractive and structural plant which can be used as a screen to bring privacy to front gardens. Or, it can grow tall and spread enough to soften a corner of the garden with foliage and flowers, or bring height a mixed border.

Cephalanthus, also known as Button Bush, prefers a position in the garden with moist but well-drained soil and enjoys full sun. This shrub won't require much attention from you once it's settled in. Getting it started correctly is important and it will need monitoring in the first year to ensure it settles in well and thrives in your garden.

How to plant

— Cephalanthus are supplied as bare roots in spring for planting between February and May. Bare roots will need quick attention when they arrive, therefore unpack your plants within 1-2 days of delivery and sit the roots in a bucket of water outdoors to soak. Plant within a week of delivery.

— If you have good soil (rich, free draining) and you have a clear space ready, you can plant the bare root directly into the border. Dig over the area to prepare for planting and remove any weeds. Ensure there is sufficient space between the new shrub and any neighbouring plants so that they won't compete. Dig a hole large enough to fit the whole root system, leaving the stem and branches exposed above the soil surface. Ensure the hole is the correct depth so that the soil is level with the point at which the roots meet the stem.

— Improve the soil quality by mixing in some compost or leaf mould to the planting hole - this soft texture and boost of nutrients will help the roots bed in well. Avoid adding manure to the planting hole as it can be too rich and damage the new roots.

— Position the shrub into the hole, checking that the side which looks best is facing into the garden, then backfill the hole and firm down. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and hydrate the plant.

— If your growing conditions are challenging, e.g. poor soil (clay/dry sandy) or a crowded planting area, or if you just haven't decided exactly where to position your shrub, it is best to pot up your shrub into a 20-30cm temporary container and grow it on until it's more established. When it's ready later in the year, it can be transferred into a border. It is ready to transfer once the roots become visible through the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot or when the plant easily comes out of the pot with the soil held together in a root ball.

— When planting into the garden, choose a position in full sun. Cephalanthus prefers a moist but well-drained soil.

— Monitor new plantings regularly while they’re settling in, checking for pest damage, removing any excess growth from neighbouring plants to reduce competition and removing weeds around it.

— This shrub is deciduous and will lose its leaves in autumn. It is fully hardy and does not require winter protection.

— Water straight after planting and continue watering regularly in the first year while the plant settles in. Once established, watering should only be necessary in particularly dry spells.

Aftercare

— Minimal maintenance is required once this shrub is established, however you should prune or clip this shrub once a year to maintain shape and encourage branching. Cephalanthus should be pruned/clipped in mid spring, no more than 2-3 buds away from the older woody framework.

— Once mature and the shrub has multiple stems, Cephalanthus can be rejuvenated by removing up to a third of the oldest stems down almost to the ground in early spring. This makes more space for younger, more productive stems.

— Mulch annually during winter or spring to maintain soil moisture and structure and add nutrients.

Read further general instructions about planting bare-root shrubs