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    Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'

    Also Known As

    • Actaea simplex 'James Compton'
    • Cimicifuga ramosa 'James Compton'
    • Cimicifuga simplex 'James Compton'
    • James Compton Black Cohosh
    • James Compton Black Snakeroot
    • James Compton Branched Bugbane
    • James Compton Bugbane
    • James Compton Snakeroot

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 2'-5'
    • W: 1'-3'

    planting zones

    • 3a-9b

    More Options

    Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton' plant details

    Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton' is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with black foliage. In fall and summer pink and white flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: ranunculaceae
    Foliage: deciduous black
    Mature size: 1 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 5 FT - tall
    Flowers: pink and white blooms in fall and summer
    Uses: bottlebrush flowers, fragrant

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'

    USDA Zones: 3a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    There aren’t many fragrant flowers for the shade it seems. Thank goodness for the bugbanes then! ‘James Compton’ is a compact, burgundy-leaved bugbane with numerous small, creamy white (sometimes pink tinged), fragrant flowers in late summer to early fall. These are borne on long, terminal racemes resembling fluffy spires that rise well above the foliage on upright, branched, wiry stems.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Yet another dark one, supposedly more compact growing than the others but I see little difference. To tell the truth culture and placement in the garden seems to have more to do with it than genetics, all the dark ones are spectacular with a fragrance that is simply incredible. Big drifts are quite a sight in late summer. ZONE 4

    By: Arrowhead Alpines

    Young green leaves deepen to a dark purple-black. Late summer brings wands of fragrant pink-tinged white flowers that smell like vanilla. 'James Compton' thrives in moist soil and is deer-resistant. Best in part shade but some sun will deepen color of leaves. Easily grown in average, medium moisture-retaining soils in part to full shade. Prefers humusy, organically rich, moisture-retentive soils. Foliage tends to scorch if soils are allowed to dry out. Best sited in locations sheltered from strong winds. This is a slow-to-establish plant.

    By: Deer Country Gardens

    Gardening facts about Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton' plant

    How to Grow Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • black

    • Flower Color

      • white
      • pink

    • Wildlife

      • bees

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • fall

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    See other plant types of Actaea for your garden

    Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette'

    aka Actaea simplex 'Brunette', Cimicifuga simplex 'Brunette', Brunette Bugbane, Brunette Snakeroot

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 2'-4'

    Width: 1'-3'

    • mostly sun - dappled shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette' foliage by Dancing Oaks Nursery
    View Plant

    Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Hillside Black Beauty'

    aka Actaea racemosa 'Hillside Black Beauty', Actaea simplex 'Hillside Black Beauty', Cimicifuga simplex 'Hillside Black Beauty', Black Bugbane, Hillside Black Beauty Bugbane

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    3a-9b

    Size

    Height: 4'-7'

    Width: 3'-4'

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Hillside Black Beauty' flower, foliage, form by Briggs Plant Propagators
    View Plant

    Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Black Negligee'

    aka Actaea simplex 'Black Negligee', Cimicifuga simplex 'Black Negligee', Black Negligee Bugbane, Black Negligee Snakeroot

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 1'-5'

    Width: 1'-2'

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Black Negligee' flower by Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
    View Plant

    More Options

    Actaea pachypoda

    aka Baneberry, Doll's Eyes, White Doll's Eyes

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    3a-9b

    Size

    Height: 2'-3'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • mostly sun - shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Actaea pachypoda flower by Dancing Oaks Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    Actaea cordifolia

    aka Actaea foetida var cordifolia, Actaea racemosa var. cordifolia, Cimicifuga cordifolia, Cimicifuga foetida var cordifolia, Cimicifuga racemosa var. cordifolia, Appalachian Bugbane, Baneberry, Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Kearney's Bugbane

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    4a-9b

    Size

    Height: 4'-5'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Actaea cordifolia flower, foliage by Far Reaches Farm
    View Plant

    More Options

    +21 more Actaea
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