Actaea, Branched Bugbane, Black Snakeroot, Black Cohosh 'Atropurpurea'

Actaearacemosa

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Actaea (ak-TEE-uh)
Species
racemosa (ray-see-MO-suh)
Synonym
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)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
White/Near White
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:

Juneau, Alaska

Batavia, Illinois

Greenville, Indiana

Iowa City, Iowa

Lakeville, Minnesota

Franklinville, New Jersey

Linville, North Carolina

Madison, Ohio

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

Lexington, Virginia

Oakton, Virginia

Monroe, Washington

Woods Creek, Washington

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

3
positives
0
neutral
0
negative
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K
Monroe, WA | September 2010 | positive

Have enjoyed this plant in our garden for more than 20 years. It makes a strong statement, the clump expands slowly, and the honeybees lo...Read More

S
(Zone 6a) | March 2006 | positive

I have mine in part shade and it does very well there. It doesn't grow tall if it isn't given enoungh water. More water means a bigger, b...Read More

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

A very bold plant for the garden. If kept reasonably moist and fertilized, it will reach 8 feet. Very fragrant with bottle-brush flowers...Read More

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