Actaea
( ack - TEE - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationActaea, also known as Baneberry or Bugbane, is a genus of herbaceous perennials requiring partial shade and regular water. Take care when planting this flower in your yard, as the berries of some species are poisonous. These are great plants for woodland plantings or for border gardens (bonus: they are deer- and rabbit-resistant), and the dark foliage of some species provides wonderful contrast in beds. Plant these with other fall bloomers like Aconitum and Fuchsia; they also are beautiful when planted with Hostas, Calla Lilies, and grasses. The slightly fragrant flowers will attract pollinators, including butterflies, to your garden.
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Actaea Species and Varietals
Actaea (part of the Ranunculaceae family of plants) is a genus that was combined with another, Cimicifuga. The genus is now divided into Actaea (Baneberry) and Cimicifuga (Bugbanes). Baneberries are generally smaller plants with clusters of flowers that turn into poisonous berries. Bugbanes, by contrast, are larger with long spikes of flowers that ripen into seed capsules. Pliny the Elder named these plants; Actaea is derived from the Greek word for Elder. They do best when planted in zones 1-7 and 17. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Actaea pachypoda (Actaea alba) (White Baneberry, Doll's Eyes) Native to the Eastern parts of North America, this plant reaches 2.5 to 3 feet tall and 1.5 to 2 feet wide. Flowers are small and white, and bloom on stalks that turn a bright red after blooms expire. White berries that follow flowers are highly toxic. |
Actaea simplex (Cimicifuga simplex) (Kamchatka Bugbane) This species is native to Siberia, China, Korea and Japan. Clumping habit to 2 feet tall and wide, with flower spikes that reach 3-4 feet. Varieties include 'Atropurpurea' (purple leaves and pink-tinted flower buds on 5 foot stems), 'Brunette', 'Hillside Black Beauty', and 'Pink Spike', the last three of which have dark foliage and pink flowers. |
Caring for Actaea
Planting your Actaea is the first step in providing the best care; they usually take partial shade. Green-foliaged varieties will need more shade than the darker, purple-foliaged varieties, which can actually take full sun if they are given adequate water, and their foliage will be a bit darker and more striking in this exposure. They do not like to compete for water, so try to avoid planting them too close to the canopies of mature trees. They prefer rich soil that is well-draining, and will need watering at least once a week (especially in warmer climates). Do not allow the soil to dry out. These plants will survive for a decade or more in the garden, if the right conditions are maintained.
These plants should be introduced to your garden in either spring or fall, though if you live in a hot-weather area try to aim for a early fall planting time. They can be purchased either bare-root or growing in pots. When planting bare-root, bury the root about an inch below the soil surface in compost-amended soil and cover, then water thoroughly. When planting a growing specimen, dig a hole a little deeper and wider than the pot it was purchased in, amend the surrounding area with compost, and sit your plant in, ensuring that the root crown is about a half inch below the soil surface. Backfill with more soil/compost and water thoroughly. If you have a choice, go for the potted plant option over the bare-root option; bare-roots are more susceptible to transplant shock and do not always survive.
Actaea is a garden plant that will not need additional fertilizer other than a dressing of compost each year. They also will not need much pruning. During the blooming period, cut blooming stems back after they fade to encourage more to pop up. In fall, this plant can be cut back to the ground, as most of its foliage will die with the cooler temperatures as it goes into dormancy. Once spring comes around again, new growth will emerge. These plants can be divided for propagation purposes (see the instructions below), but clumps do not need to be divided for the health of the plant. Over the winter months (especially with young plants), mulch around the top to protect roots from freezing temperatures.
These plants should be introduced to your garden in either spring or fall, though if you live in a hot-weather area try to aim for a early fall planting time. They can be purchased either bare-root or growing in pots. When planting bare-root, bury the root about an inch below the soil surface in compost-amended soil and cover, then water thoroughly. When planting a growing specimen, dig a hole a little deeper and wider than the pot it was purchased in, amend the surrounding area with compost, and sit your plant in, ensuring that the root crown is about a half inch below the soil surface. Backfill with more soil/compost and water thoroughly. If you have a choice, go for the potted plant option over the bare-root option; bare-roots are more susceptible to transplant shock and do not always survive.
Actaea is a garden plant that will not need additional fertilizer other than a dressing of compost each year. They also will not need much pruning. During the blooming period, cut blooming stems back after they fade to encourage more to pop up. In fall, this plant can be cut back to the ground, as most of its foliage will die with the cooler temperatures as it goes into dormancy. Once spring comes around again, new growth will emerge. These plants can be divided for propagation purposes (see the instructions below), but clumps do not need to be divided for the health of the plant. Over the winter months (especially with young plants), mulch around the top to protect roots from freezing temperatures.
Propagation
Actaea can be propagated by either division or seed. Keep in mind that if you choose to propagate your Actaea from seed, the resulting plant may not be a clone of the parent. For an exact replica of your existing plant, it is better to go for the division method of propagation.
Propagating Actaea by Division
This method is relativey simple; you will need a clean shove, mulch, fresh soil amended with compost, and 12 -inch pots (if you will not be transplanting your divided plants directly into another spot in the garden). Division is best done in fall, when the plants are entering their dormancy. To propagate your Actaea by division, follow these instructions:
Propagating Actaea by Seed
Actaea seeds can be harvested August through October, when the plants start to enter dormancy. If you'd like to harvest seeds, make sure to leave some spent flowers on your plant so seeds can be allowed to mature. Ready-to-harvest seeds will be held in capsules that make a rattling sound when shaken. Keep in mind that seed capsules do not develop in Baneberries, only Bugbanes. Because Baneberries are poisonous, it is best to propagate them via division. To propagate your Actaea by seed, you will need a plastic bag, a seeding tray (or a pot, whichever you have at your disposal), well-draining soil amended with compost, and a spray bottle filled with water.
Propagating Actaea by Division
This method is relativey simple; you will need a clean shove, mulch, fresh soil amended with compost, and 12 -inch pots (if you will not be transplanting your divided plants directly into another spot in the garden). Division is best done in fall, when the plants are entering their dormancy. To propagate your Actaea by division, follow these instructions:
- Using your shovel, dig up your existing plant starting from the outside and working your way in. This will avoid any root damage from your shoveling. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Tease apart the roots with your fingers and separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each segment has at least a few shoots.
- Prepare your pot(s) or your new garden location by filling or amending with compost-enriched soil, and water to ensure adequate drainage is occurring. Then, plant your divided plants about a half inch under the soil surface and backfill with more enriched soil. Water thoroughly.
- Apply mulch around the base of the new planting to discourage water evaporation and protect from colder temperatures over wintertime. Continue providing weekly water and make sure the soil is not drying out, and enjoy watching your plant grow once spring rolls around.
Propagating Actaea by Seed
Actaea seeds can be harvested August through October, when the plants start to enter dormancy. If you'd like to harvest seeds, make sure to leave some spent flowers on your plant so seeds can be allowed to mature. Ready-to-harvest seeds will be held in capsules that make a rattling sound when shaken. Keep in mind that seed capsules do not develop in Baneberries, only Bugbanes. Because Baneberries are poisonous, it is best to propagate them via division. To propagate your Actaea by seed, you will need a plastic bag, a seeding tray (or a pot, whichever you have at your disposal), well-draining soil amended with compost, and a spray bottle filled with water.
- Once you have harvested your seeds, place them in a dark area that stays around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and keep them there for two months. Then, move them into the refrigerator for another two months. Seeds will germinate more successfully if given this shock of cold. The seeds then are ready to be sown in containers indoors.
- Prepare your tray or pot by filling it with soil, and then watering it to ensure that proper drainage is occurring. Place your seeds on top of the soil, and then cover with more soil. Spray the soil with your spray bottle, and continue monitoring for moisture as the seeds develop. Place your tray or pot in a warm area. Then, be patient. The seeds can take up to a year to germinate.
- Once you start to see seedlings appear and grow, you can begin potting them up. Continue giving adequate water. Plants will do best when allowed to reach a good size before being transplanted into your garden. For planting and care instructions, see the 'Caring for Actaea' section above.
Problems and Pests
Problems with Actaea can usually be traced to water or exposure issues. While these plants love moist soil, they do not like to sit in water. This can cause the plant to be more susceptible to Root Rot. If the area around your plant is having water drainage issues, try working some pumice into the soil to encourage better drainage. These plants also may have trouble blooming in the first year or two after transplant, but just be patient, ensure that your plant is getting adequate water (they will not bloom in drought conditions) and you'll be rewarded. As for pest issues, this plant is nicknamed Bugbane for a reason - it's the bane of bugs!
Other common issues that affect Actaea include:
Other common issues that affect Actaea include:
- Root Rot
- Cutworms
Gallery
Videos
Propagating Actaea by division.
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An overview of Black Cohosh, or Cimicifuga racemosa.
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All about Actaea racemosa.
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An overview of the darker-leafed Actaeas.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 133, Actaea
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