Actaea
Baneberry, Cohosh
Also known as Cimicifuga
- Height × spread
- 0.8m – 1.75m × 0.6m – 1m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These are all woodland plants. The plants formerly named 'Cimicifuga' have now been included with the baneberries. These are generally quite large showy plants, especially the variety now called Actaea simplex. These have imposing foliage, often coloured in dark or black shades. Their long flowering plumes are in shades of white or pink and are dramatic and desirable. Most Actaea are much smaller. They make quiet mounds of foliage for much of the year. They are brought to one's attention when the showy fruits appear - coloured red, white or black. The most noticeable form is the fruit of Actaea pachypoda which has white, black eyed fruits, reflecting the popular name 'Doll's eyes'. The fruits of this, and the other Actaea forms is poisonous, and also may be visually attractive to children.; Hazardous: CAUTION Actaea rubra and spicata forms are poisonous. Other forms are Harmful if eaten/skin irritant.
- Flower colour
- Pink, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Purple, Red
- Fruit colour
- Green, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Column
- Height
- 0.8m – 1.75m
- Spread
- 0.6m – 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Shady court, Scented garden, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Feed & mulch some rose varieties differently
To keep roses healthy and produce more flowers, feed during the growing season before and after flowering. Roses in containers should be fed more often than those planted in the ground, every two weeks from mid spring to late summer. Adding a mulch around the base of a rose will trap moisture and enrich the soil as it biodegrades.
Found in
More Actaea
Actaea simplex 'Brunette'
Autumn snakeroot, Kamchatka bugbane, Simple stemmed bugbane
Actaea japonica
Japanese bugbane, Chinese bugbane
Actaea matsumurae 'Elstead Variety'
Matsumuras bugbane
Actaea matsumurae 'White Pearl'
Matsumuras bugbane
Actaea pachypoda Misty Blue = 'Lk05'
Baneberry
Actaea racemosa
Black snakeroot, Black cohosh, Fairy candles, Rattletop
Actaea rubra
Red baneberry, Snakeberry, coralberry, European red baneberry
Actaea simplex
Autumn snakeroot, Kamchatka bugbane, Simple stemmed bugbane