Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Actaea racemosa flower by H. Zell

    Photo by H. Zell

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

    Show all photos

    Actaea racemosa

    Also Known As

    • Cimicifuga racemosa
    • Black Cohosh

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 4'-5'
    • W: 2'-4'

    planting zones

    • 4a-9b

    More Options

    Actaea racemosa plant details

    Actaea racemosa is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In summer white flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Actaea racemosa

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: ranunculaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 2 FT - 4 FT - wide, 4 FT - 5 FT - tall
    Flowers: white blooms in summer
    Uses: bottlebrush flowers, cut leaves

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Actaea racemosa

    USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
    Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Resistant to: deer, heat and humidity
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    The 4-6' tall torch-like wands of white flowers this wildflower produces will give a lift to any partly shady garden in mid-summer. S-PSh/M (not dry) Acid

    By: Forestfarm

    Our native "Black Snakeroot" or "Black Cohosh" can grow as tall as 6 feet. I've even seen it shoot up to 9 feet at Rainforest Gardens in British Columbia. I love the fragrance of its long spikes of fluffy white flowers in mid Summer. Easy to grow in full to part shade.

    By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

    Long wandlike, creamy white flower racemes seem to dangle and dance on invisible stems above clumps of Astilbe-like foliage. Try this Actaea (Cimicifuga) in a naturalized setting, under a tall canopy at the back of the border, next to leafy Ligularia.

    By: Digging Dog Nursery

    Bugbane, Leopards Bane, Wolfsbane, wishful thinking at best, but great in terms of ornamental value, Bugbane puts on an impressive display in the late summer woodland garden sending its spires of white to six feet or more, bugs remain unimpressed.Zone 4

    By: Arrowhead Alpines

    Gardening facts about Actaea racemosa plant

    How to Grow Actaea racemosa

    • Sun Exposure

      • mostly sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • white

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • 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
    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved