Actaea cordifolia
heart-shaped-leaved actaea
A clump-forming herbaceous perennial about 1.5m high with dark green leaves to 60cm long with broadly obovate leaflets 12-20cm long, lobed, and heart-shaped at the base. Branched, sometimes curved racemes, to 60cm long, of creamy white flowers, each 1cm long, in summer
Synonyms
Cimicifuga racemosa var. cordifoliaCimicifuga cordifolia (DC.) Torrey & A.Gray
see moreCimicifuga rubifolia
Actaea racemosa var. cordifolia
Actaea rubifolia
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Actaea are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with compound leaves and small creamy-white flowers in short, erect, simple or branched terminal racemes, followed either by poisonous red, black or white berries, or by star-shaped clustered brown follicles
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- E & SE USA
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in cool, moist, humus-rich, preferably neutral or slightly acidic soil in partial shade, for example in a woodland garden or shaded herbaceous or mixed bed
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown when ripe in containers in a cold frame or in a nursery bed in autumn, or by division in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.