- Botanical name: Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette'
- Common name: Baneberry
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Deciduous
White
Purple
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
Actaea (syn. Cimicifuga) is a slightly unusual plant, bearing tall, elegant, upright spires of white flowers late in the season, long after summer-flowering plants have bloomed. Actaea ‘Brunette’ is a particularly lovely variety, with purple-tinted foliage and stately white, bottlebrush flowers appearing in September and October.
Grow Actaea ‘Brunette’ in moist soil in partial shade, ideally in a sheltered spot to protect the delicate flowers. Support stems with a twiggy network of pea sticks.
How to grow Actaea 'Brunette'
-
Plant size
1.2m height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, partial shade
- Shade type: Damp
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Actaea 'Brunette' and wildlife
Actaea 'Brunette' is known for attracting bees, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers and has seeds for birds.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Attractive to Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Actaea 'Brunette' poisonous?
Actaea 'Brunette' can be toxic.
Toxic to People
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
Plants that go well with Actaea 'Brunette'
