Actaea (cimicifuga) simplex 'BRUNETTE'

Bugbane is an attractive perennial from colder parts of Mongolia, Japan, Korea, and Russia (Kamchatka, Sakhlain, Siberia). While its North American brother is famous for its healing power, known to the Indians who used its roots for soothing pains connected with women’s problems, this one has no observed medicinal benefits. Yet it makes a statement in a border or among trees as an eye-catching architectural plant.

Brunette is a popular, compact variety of bugbane with deep burgundy brown or almost black, 30-50 cm across leaves. They are 3-ternate-pinnate, with palmate, lobed, sharply toothed basal leaves. In late summer rise slender, dark stems bearing 30-40 cm long erect racemes composed of small, soft pink, very fragrant flowers. They resemble cherry laurel flowers both in appearance as well as scent. They flower from late August until mid October. Flower buds look like small, purple red pearls.

Bugbane prefers partially shaded locations or places under the trees with limited sunlight. It loves moist sites with humus rich soil. If you provide regular watering you can grow it in a sunny border, too, but make sure the soil is well mulched to retain moisture. Once established it can withstand temporary flooding but will be poor or even die in dry soil. It is a clump forming perennial that spreads quite slowly so make sure it has good conditions so you can enjoy a beauty of a rich clump soon. Hardy to about -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update: 22-05-2019