About

Actaea matsumurae 'White Pearl' is a robust perennial that can reach heights of up to 1.2 meters. It features slender green stems along with light green foliage and flower buds. In late summer and into autumn, this plant produces elongated clusters of subtly fragrant white blooms.

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
Chalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
Aspect
North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Columnar upright
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, City and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens
Fragrance
Flower
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
Pruning
Cut back after flowering or fruiting
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