Actaea racemosa

Actaea racemosa (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained 

Eventual Height: 60cm (flowers 2.5m)

Eventual Spread: 50cm

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b,6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Ranunculaceae

Actaea racemosa is a deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are tripinnately compound with coarsely serrate margins and up to 1m long. The white flowers have no petals or sepals and consist of tight clusters of long stamens surrounding a white stigma and are produced on a tall flower spikes. The fruit is a dry follicle, up to 10mm long containing several seeds and one carpel. Its roots are rhizome.

Actaea racemosa Leaf (27/07/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Actaea racemosa, commonly known as Black Snakeroot, Black Bugbane, Black Cohosh and Fairy Candle, native to central and east USA ans south central Canada. In its native habitat it grows in woodland glades. This plant was introduced into the UK in 1732 by John Bartram. Actaea racemosa is synonymous with Cimicifuga racemosa.

The etymological root of the binomial name Actaea is derived from the Greek Actaia meaning ‘Elder, in reference to its leaves. Racemosa is derived from the Latin meaning ‘flowers in racemes’.

The landscape architect may find Actaea racemosa useful as part of a woodland planting scheme. It may also be used as part of a herbaceous planting scheme.

Actaea racemosa Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Actaea racemosa is attractive to flies, beetles, bees, birds and gnats due to its fetid smell.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Actaea racemosa their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Actaea racemosa prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Actaea racemosa requires little to no maintenance. It may be cut back in late autumn after flowering and fruiting. Large clumps may be divided in spring.

 

Actaea rubra

Actaea rubra (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Partial shade

Soil: Moist to boggy

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Eventual Height: 50cm

Eventual Spread: 5ocm

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Ranunculaceae

Actaea rubra Flower (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Actaea rubra is a slow growing deciduous herbaceous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves are coarsely toothed with deeply lobed margins. Its white flowers appear as terminal axillary racemes. Its red fruit are ellipsoid berries, up to 11mm across and produced in autumn. Its roots are rhizomes.

The species Actaea rubra, commonly known as Snakeberry, Rattlesnake Herb, Black Cohosh, Baneberry, Chinaberry and Coralberry, is native to North America. In its native habitat it grow in moist to wet deciduous woodlands and deciduous woodland openings. This berries of this plant are toxic to humans.

The etymological root of the binomial name Actaea is derived from the Greek Actaia, which means Elder, as the leaves of this plant resembling those of this tree. Rubra is from the Latin meaning ‘red’.

Actaea rubra with Fruit (18/07/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Actaea rubra  useful as part of a woodland planting scheme or shady locations, particularly in damp locations, producing attractive flowers in spring and berries in autumn.

Ecologically, Actaea rubra is attractive to pollinating insects. Its berries are attractive to birds.

Actaea rubra Leaf (18/05/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Actaea rubra prefers moist, fertile, well-drained to boggy soils. It prefers a neutral to acid pH of soil.

Actaea rubra requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in early spring.

Actaea racemosa ‘James Compton’

Actaea racemosa ‘James Compton’ flower (17/09/2011, London)

Position: Full sun to shade

Flowering period: Late Summer

Soil: Well drained soils 

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 0.5m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Ranunculaceae

Actaea racemosa ‘James Compton’ is a herbaceous perennial that grows up to 1.5m in height. The basal leaves are up to 1m long and broad forming repeated sets of 3 leaflets bearing  coarsely toothed margins. The foliage changes through the season with the compound leaves changing from green to to a dark purple black in late summer.  The flowers are produced in late summer on a tall stem. They are sweetly fragrant and white in colour with a slight tinge of pink. They are 75-250 cm tall and have no petals or sepals and consist of tight clusters of long stamens surrounding a white stigma. The fruit is a dry follicle 5-10 mm long containing several seeds and one carpel. The roots of this plant grow from an underground rhizome. The form ‘James Compton’ has dark bronze leaves and is the most fragrant variety.

The species Actaea racemosa, commonly known as Black Snakeroot, Black Bugbane, Black Cohosh and Fairy Candle, is synonymous with Cimicifuga racemosa. It is native to eastern North America from the extreme south of Ontario to central Georgia and west to Missouri and Arkansas. It is often found in woodland habitats mainly in the small woodland openings. This plant was used by Native Americans to treat sore throats, kidney problems and depression. The plant appeared in U.S Pharmacopoeia in 1830 under the name Black Snakeroot. Today the plant is used as a dietary supplement marketed towards women suffering from menopause or premenstrual tension. This plant was introduced into the UK in 1732 by John Bartram.

The etymological root of the binomial name Actaea is derived from the Greek Actaia, which means Elder, as the leaves of this plant resembling those of this tree. Racemosa is derived from the Latin meaning flowers in racemes.  

Actaea racemosa ‘James Compton’ (17/09/2011, London)

The landscape architect may find Actaea racemosa ‘James Compton’  useful as part of a woodland planting scheme. Due to this plant’s architectural habit it can be used to add an accent to a herbaceous planting scheme.

Ecologically, Actaea racemosa ‘James Compton’ is attractive to flies, beetles, bees, birds and gnats due to its fetid smell.

Actaea racemosa ‘James Compton’ prefers soil with a PH of 6.6 to 7.5. It likes moist soil so long as its well drained and dislikes boggy conditions. It can be alkaline, neutral or acidic.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given the species Actaea racemosa their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Actaea racemosa ‘James Compton’ requires little to no maintenance. It may be cut back in late autumn after flowering and fruiting. Established plants may be divided in spring.