Avoid alkaline soil and plant buttonbush in soil that is neutral to slightly acidic with a soil ph level of 6. 8 to 7. 2. Discover the beauty of buttonbush ! · in my garden, i like to pair buttonbush with other water-tolerant native plants , like cardinal flower, swamp milkweed, boneset, and blue flag irises. Attract pollinators and support butterflies with native buttonbush. Follow our planting guide to learn how to grow and care for this versatile plant. Learn how to grow and care for this native, wildlife-friendly shrub in your garden. Aim to keep the soil moist at all times, especially if the bush is in full sun. · add this native north american plant to your garden to attract pollinators. Learn how to grow and care for this shrub, including its soil, water, and sunlight needs. With tips on soil, light, container size and ongoing care , to keep your shrubs happy this year Get tips and insights for year-round appeal. · how to plant, grow, and care for buttonbush buttonbush is a loose, informal native that tolerates wide-ranging conditions and offers numerous ecological benefits. · plant in full or partial sun though the shrub will thrive in six to eight hours of sun a day. · discover how to grow buttonbush with our expert guide. I have these smaller plants growing in layers around the base of my buttonbush shrub, and i find the buttonbush makes an excellent backdrop plant for native perennials of all shapes and colors.