Actaea simplex 'Pink Spike'
baneberry 'Pink Spike'
A clump-forming perennial, which, at about 1.4m in height, is a little shorter than most. It has divided, dark purple, palmate leaves. Lightly fragrant, pale pink bottlebrush-like flowers appear in September, and are loved by bees and butterflies
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Purple | ||
| Autumn | Purple | Pink White | Purple | |
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- 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. Prefers partial shade
Propagation
Propagate 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
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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