Actaea simplex Atropurpurea Group
baneberry Atropurpurea Group
Upright plants with brown-purple stems and foliage, and dense spikes of small, fragrant, white flowers in early autumn, often tinted purple in bud. There are a number of named cultivar within this group, chosen for their very dark leaves. Leaf and stem of un-named forms can vary; for best results choose plants in leaf
Synonyms
Cimicifuga racemosa 'Purpurea'Cimicifuga simplex var. simplex Atropurpurea Group
see moreCimicifuga simplex 'Blackthorn Strain'
Cimicifuga ramosa 'Atropurpurea'
Cimicifuga simplex 'Atropurpureum'
Cimicifuga racemosa 'Atropurpurea'
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Green Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Purple | ||
| Autumn | Purple | White | Purple | |
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in cool, moist, moderately fertile soil, enriched with organic matter. Water thoroughly in dry weather
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn or by division in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back after flowering or fruiting
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.