Overview
Actaea erythrocarpa is a plant with a clump forming habit in the genus Actaea, part of the Ranunculaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Actaea erythrocarpa grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, underplanting of roses and shrubs, banks and slopes, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.
About
Actaea erythrocarpa is a clump-forming deciduous plant belonging to the genus Actaea in the Ranunculaceae family. It thrives in partial shade, ideally in a north-facing, sheltered aspect with moist but well-drained neutral loam soil. Hardy to UK zone H7, it suits cottage and informal gardens, wildlife gardens, underplanting of roses and shrubs, as well as banks, slopes, flower borders, and wall side borders. Propagation is by seed sown in pots in a cold frame during autumn or by division in early spring.
About the genus
Actaea, commonly called baneberry, bugbane and cohosh, is a genus of flowering plants of the family Ranunculaceae, native to subtropical, temperate and subarctic regions of Europe, Asia and North America.
Wikipedia contributors, "Actaea (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Actaea (plant)
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Actaea
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Actaea erythrocarpa size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Underplanting of roses and shrubs, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Actaea erythrocarpa
- Propagation
- Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn, Division in early spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Actaea erythrocarpa?
Actaea erythrocarpa prefers partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Actaea erythrocarpa need?
Actaea erythrocarpa grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Actaea erythrocarpa hardy in the UK?
Actaea erythrocarpa has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Actaea erythrocarpa?
Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn, Division in early spring.
More in the Actaea genus
- Actaea 'Brunette'
- Actaea 'White Pearl'
- Actaea cordifolia
- Actaea simplex 'Pink Spike'baneberry 'Pink Spike'
- Actaea cimicifugafoetid bugbane