Buy Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Hillside Black Beauty'

Also Known As

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

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 4'-7'
W: 3'-4'

planting zones

3a-9b

1 gallon bagged root ball | $23

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30 at Gossler Farms

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Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Hillside Black Beauty' plant details

Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Hillside Black Beauty' is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with black and purple foliage. In fall and summer pink and 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.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Hillside Black Beauty'

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: ranunculaceae
Foliage: deciduous black and purple
Mature size: 3 FT - 4 FT - wide, 4 FT - 7 FT - tall
Flowers: pink and white blooms in fall and summer
Uses: bottlebrush flowers, fragrant, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Hillside Black Beauty'

USDA Zones: 3a - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular

Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Deep purple foliage in this lovely plant. The dark foliage will get 18” tall and form a pretty foil for the 4' white flowers in summer.

By: Gossler Farms

Ferny, purple-copper foliage with a stunning flower spike of tiny white clusters. These spikes can get up to 5' tall! Blooms are strongly fragrant and emerge in late summer to early fall. A must-have for your shade garden.

By: Garden World

The darkest-leaved bugbane with copper-purple foliage and white flowers in fall. Fabulous. Though tolerant of a full range of light conditions, Actaea (formerly Cimicifuga) are a great way to add fragrance to the shadier garden. Especially attractive when combined with variegated or golden foliage. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

Nearly black leaves topped with white spikes of fragrant flowers late summer, deciduous, moist soil. Zones 4-8.

By: Lael's Moon Garden

Formerly classified as Cimicifuga 'Hillside Black Beauty', this selection of "Bugbane" or "Fairy Candles" forms 1-2' clumps of dark chocolate colored foliage. 4-6' stems carrying wands of creamy white fragrant flowers appear in late summer and early fall. Plant near light colored or brilliant gold Hosta to really set off the dark foliage.

By: Avant Gardens

Dark purple-black foliage is topped in the fall by 1' long fragrant white flowers with hints of pink. Stems of this striking plant can reach 4-7' tall, and 2-3' wide.

By: Greer Gardens Inc.

Formerly Cimicifuga. The darkest of the purple-leaved snakeroots. The nearly black leaves, which hold their color all summer, are topped by 10-14" long racemes of pink-tinted white flowers in late summer or early fall. Needs abundant moisture to perform at its best. Foliage is darkest in full sun.