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Herbaceous Perennial

Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Black Negligee'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

baneberry 'Black Negligee'

A herbaceous perennial, to around 1.2m tall, with finely-divided, near-black leaves and scented, creamy-white bottlebrush-like flower spikes in late summer and early autumn

Synonyms
Cimicifuga simplex 'Black Negligee'
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Black Purple
Summer Black Purple Cream White Black Purple
Autumn Black Purple Cream White Black Purple
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical 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 and mulched. Site in dappled shade. Water thoroughly in dry weather. Flowers are attractive to butterflies

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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