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    • Photo of Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette' foliage by Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Photo by Dancing Oaks Nursery

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette'

    Also Known As

    • Actaea simplex 'Brunette'
    • Cimicifuga simplex 'Brunette'
    • Brunette Bugbane
    • Brunette Snakeroot

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 2'-4'
    • W: 1'-3'

    planting zones

    • 4a-9b

    1 gallon bagged root ball | $23

    Ships UPS, flat charge based on order total

    30 at Gossler Farms

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    Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette' plant details

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

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette'

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: ranunculaceae
    Foliage: deciduous black and purple
    Mature size: 1 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
    Flowers: white blooms in summer
    Uses: bottlebrush flowers, fragrant

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette'

    USDA Zones: 4a - 9b
    Sun exposure: mostly sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
    Soil needs: average, gritty, rich and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Has deep purple leaves that will get 18” x 18” during summer. In late August, thin stems tower to 4'-5' with fluffy upright flower stalks. The fragrance of the flowers is very nice.

    By: Gossler Farms

    Slightly shorter than C. racemosa, but taller than C. japonica, the almost black, beautifully dissected foliage of this named cultivar, is a plant that's never failed to stop traffic along the border in my garden, where its comfortably made itself at home. I can't say whether the flowers are whiter than all of the other Cimicifugas, or its just the contrast with the foliage. The flowers even smell more fragrant.

    By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

    The dark purple, almost black textured foliage makes 'Brunette' an unbeatable accent plant. Try planting it near anything chartreuse or pale green for real punch. The fluffy white spires of fragrant flowers appear in late summer. Though tolerant of a full range of light conditions, Actaea (formerly Cimicifuga) are a great way to add fragrance to the shadier garden. Combine with variegated or golden foliage. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Noted around town for her purple-black leaves and stems, this 'Brunette' is sure to turn some heads with the gentle way of her graceful, ferny foliage. At the back of the border, amidst the chaos of more summery greens, this dark lady's shadow lingers long before offering up arching racemes of fragrant, slightly blushed white flowers. One of the most sought-after cultivars, 'Brunette' is another incredibly lovely dark foliage selection of Actaea (Cimicifuga) simplex seedlings.

    By: Digging Dog Nursery

    A particularly dark leaved selection out of tissue culture, even showier than the above. ZONE 4

    By: Arrowhead Alpines

    One of the good plants. Great foliage presented in a manner of imposing grace. This can be the star of a container, a focal feature in the border or simply used to play of other plants. It does seem to make blue foliage even more blue in contrast. Long white bottlebrush flowers.

    By: Far Reaches Farm

    Burgundy-brown fern-shaped leaves grow on plants with 2' spread and 5' high late summer white flower wands.

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    A great purple-leaved snakeroot. Fragrant, bottlebrush-like white flowers stand above the gorgeous black-purple foliage in late summer or early fall. Prefers light shade and evenly moist soil. Stunning when underplanted with Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' or 'All Gold'. AGM winner. GPP award.

    By: Briggs Plant Propagators

    Gardening facts about Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette' plant

    How to Grow Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette'

    • Sun Exposure

      • mostly sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • gritty

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • purple
      • black

    • Flower Color

      • white

    • Wildlife

      • bees

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

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