Actaea, Branched Bugbane, Black Snakeroot, Black Cohosh 'Pink Spike'

Actaeasimplex

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Actaea (ak-TEE-uh)
Species
simplex (SIM-plecks)
Synonym
Actaea racemosa
Cimicifuga racemosa
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Bloom Color
Pale Pink
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Dark/Black
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Peoria, Illinois

Grand Haven, Michigan

Kalispell, Montana

Lexington, Virginia

Kalama, Washington

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Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
0
neutral
1
negative
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P
Boxford, MA | September 2011 | positive

I've had the white form of this plant for several years, and it produces lovely spikes each September. However, it's in a full shade spo...Read More

E
| June 2011 | positive

Five plants were given me late last summer, and were placed in mildly alkaline soil in various shaded parts of the garden.
They...Read More

M
M
Columbus, OH (Zone 5b) | February 2011 | negative

I planted several of these in Spring, 2009. The plants bloomed in the beginning of October just as the leaves were starting to curl and d...Read More

T
St. John's, NL (Zone 5b) | December 2004 | positive

This new selection is a light pink to rose-pink flowered version of 'Brunette'. The contrast between foliage and flowers is very pleasin...Read More

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