Plants in genus actaea
Actaea pachypoda
Actaea pachypoda, commonly known as white baneberry or doll's-eyes, is a native plant of eastern North America. It grows in hardwood and mixed forests, reaching heights of 18 to 30 inches. The plant features toothed, bipinnate leaves and produces dense racemes of white flowers. Its most distinctive feature is the white berries with black stigma scars, which are toxic to humans but consumed by birds. This perennial is often cultivated for its ornamental value, adding a unique touch to shade gardens.
Actaea cordifolia
Actaea cordifolia is a rare native plant from Virginia to Tennessee, featuring glossy leaflets and small white flowers on tall spikes. It prefers alkaline soils and grows well in slightly acidic woodland environments. This plant is deer-resistant and attracts butterflies.
Actaea racemosa
Actaea racemosa, commonly known as black cohosh, is a perennial plant native to eastern North America, thriving in woodland habitats. It is recognized for its tall spikes of small white flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer, emitting a sweet yet fetid aroma that attracts various insects. Historically, it has been used in traditional medicine, particularly for women's health issues, although modern use raises safety concerns. This plant prefers moist, compost-rich soil and is resistant to deer, making it a low-maintenance choice for shaded gardens. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit and was named the 2017 wildflower of the year by the Virginia Native Plant Society. Despite its medicinal properties, caution is advised due to potential allergic reactions and liver damage. Black cohosh is a member of the Ranunculus family and is a notable addition to gardens for its unique floral display and historical significance.
Actaea pachypoda 'Misty Blue'
Actaea pachypoda 'Misty Blue' is a perennial with glaucous, pewter-colored pinnate foliage forming 18-inch tall clumps. In spring, it is topped with short stalks of white flowers, followed by ornamental white berries with bright red stems. This plant prefers lightly shaded sites with moist, well-drained soil.
Actaea pachypoda 'Monroe'
Actaea pachypoda 'Monroe', native to Eastern North America, is a 30-inch tall perennial with short white bottlebrush-like flowers in mid-spring. It features green astilbe-like foliage and produces white, doll-eye-like fruit in August. This plant prefers average to slightly moist, humus-rich soil and is poisonous to humans.
Actaea simplex 'Queen Of Sheba'
Actaea simplex 'Queen Of Sheba' is a hardy hybrid with deep dark purple ferny foliage and white bottlebrush racemes. It blooms later in the season, attracting bees and butterflies, and thrives in full or partial shade.
Actaea japonica 'Silver Blush'
Actaea japonica 'Silver Blush' is a large, vigorous plant with heat tolerance, forming a deciduous clump with wiry stems. Its leaves emerge silver and age to light green, while 2.5-foot tall spires of white bottlebrush-like flowers bloom in moist, humus-rich soils. This plant is easy to grow in hot, humid climates and adds a striking presence to any garden.
Actaea japonica
Actaea japonica is a perennial plant native to central and southern China, South Korea, and Japan, known for its glossy basal foliage and narrow, bottlebrush-like white flowers that bloom in mid-September. This plant is attractive to pollinators and is often used in cottage gardens. It prefers moist soils and can thrive in part sun to shade conditions. Cultivars such as 'Cheju-Do' and 'Silver Dance' are popular for their ornamental value. Actaea japonica is a low-maintenance plant that adds a touch of elegance to any garden with its striking floral display.
Actaea simplex 'Hillside Black Beauty'
Actaea simplex 'Hillside Black Beauty' is a perennial with a 2-foot tall by 2-foot wide rosette of black-purple anemone-like foliage. In August, it produces 5-foot tall flower spikes with narrow spires of white flowers flushed with pink. This plant grows best in good, moist, rich soil in a cool climate, adding dramatic color to shaded garden areas.