Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) Brunette (Baneberry)

Striking all summer long, award-winning Actaea simplex ‘Brunette’ (Baneberry) is a beautiful perennial with purple black, finely divided foliage, enhanced by gracefully arching wands of fragrant white flowers in late summer and fall. Purple-pink in bud, opening to white, the heavily scented flowers are packed in fluffy spikes along black waving stems. ‘Brunette’ provides interest for months.

Striking all summer long, award-winning Actaea simplex 'Brunette' (Baneberry) is a beautiful perennial with purple black, finely divided foliage, enhanced by gracefully arching wands of fragrant white flowers in late summer and fall. Purple-pink in bud, opening to white, the heavily scented flowers are packed in fluffy spikes along black waving stems. 'Brunette' provides interest for months. Plant it with a group of white primula candelabras, and it will take your breath away. A knockout variety and a fantastic shade perennial.

  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Typically grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm). Plants will take about 3 years to develop into a mature clump.
  • Thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Moist, moderately fertile soil, enriched with organic matter is preferred. Don't let the soil dry out or the foliage will suffer. Provide a sheltered location from strong winds. The flower spires tend to bend toward bright light when grown in substantial shade.
  • Trouble-free and easy to care for, Baneberry is a welcomed addition to beds, borders, woodlands, cottage gardens, and naturalized areas.
  • Attracts birds and butterflies and deer ignore it!
  • Cut back after flowering or fruiting. Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in fall or by division in early spring

Requirements

Hardiness 4
– 8

Heat Zones 1
– 9

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Actaea – Baneberries
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Summer (Late)Fall
Height 3'
– 4'
(90cm
– 120cm)
Spread 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spacing 36″ (90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage