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 |
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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 |