Bug bane of a gardeners life? No Bugbane is just another name for Actaea. Part of the Atropurpurea Group this variety was on show at Harlow Carr and is probably ‘Hillside Black Beauty’. The White Allium flowers set off the dark foliage.

Growing Actaea Simplex

• Plants are accommodating but do not like thin alkaline soil.
• Support using stakes before the flowers appear as they can reach 6 feet tall.
• Cut spent flowers down to the ground in spring.
• Lift and divide congested colonies in late autumn or early spring.
• The fruit are noxious to creatures large and small.
• Part of the Buttercup family they are generally tall, with great spikes of white flowers in autumn.

Actaea Varieties

• Other varieties include Actaea matsumurae ‘White Pearl’ and Actaea simplex ‘Black Negligee’ both also called bugbane.
• Actaea simplex ‘Brunette’ AGM with fabulous dark brown leaves.
• Actaea Pink Spike is a clump-forming perennial with purple-brown foliage and arching stems of fragrant, pink, flowers.
• Actaea simplex Pritchard’s Giant has large spikes of tiny white flowers and yellow seedheads