About

Actaea japonica 'Cheju-Do' is a compact herbaceous perennial that features slender, branched flower spikes adorned with white, bottle-brush-like blooms, reaching heights of up to 60 cm (2 ft) during the summer months. These floral displays rise above the finely dissected green leaves.

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
East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.5-1 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
Best grown in cool, moist, reasonably fertile soil in partial shade but will tolerate most soils if enriched with organic matter. May need staking
Pruning
Cut back after flowering
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn or by division in early spring
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free