About

This herbaceous perennial grows in clumps and reaches heights of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet). In summer, it features elongated, slender flower spikes resembling bottlebrushes, adorned with white blooms. The plant is complemented by bright green, divided leaves that provide a lush backdrop.

About the genus

Actaea consists of herbaceous perennials that grow from rhizomes. They feature compound leaves and produce small, creamy-white flowers arranged in compact, upright racemes that can be simple or branched. These flowers may later develop into toxic berries that can be red, black, or white, or into clusters of star-shaped brown follicles.

Growing conditions

Sunlight

Partial shade

Soil type

Clay, Loam

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

North-facing, East-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

1-1.5 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

2-5 years

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Toxicity

Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Care notes

Cultivation

Grow in cool, moist, moderately fertile soil, enriched with organic matter. Water thoroughly in dry weather.

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown when ripe in containers in a cold frame or in a nursery bed in autumn, or by division in early spring

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free