Propagating Buttonbush

Buttonbush Growing Environment

• Buttonbush shrubs prefer a shady or partially shady location with exceedingly moist soil. They will not tolerate soil that dries out at any time. Buttonbush often spreads over a growing area on its own.

Choosing the Stem

• Examine the buttonbush in the late spring to find a suitable stem for cutting. Choose a stem with healthy foliage, but without a bud or flower. It is important to choose a stem without a bud or flower because this will enable the stem to devote full energy to root production. A stem with a bud or flower will divert some energy into sustaining the flower, reducing the amount of energy available for root production.

Preparing the Stem

• Clip an 8-inch stem off just below a leaf node with the pruning shears. A leaf node is the intersection where leaf stems grow out from the center stem. Clipping the stem at the leaf node is important because this will be the point from which the new roots grow. Clip away any bottom leaves from the stem to leave two to four leaves at the top of the stem.

Planting the Stem Cutting

• Find a suitable growing location for the new buttonbush. Buttonbush needs enough space to accommodate the mature size of the shrub. The soil on the bank of a body of water or in a boggy area is ideal for propagating buttonbush. Push the stem directly into the moist soil, at least 4 inches deep. Firm the soil gently around the stem so it stays upright. The stem will root on its own to form a new buttonbush without any further care or intervention.