| Common Name | Actaea, Baneberry, Black Bugbane |
| Genus | Actaea |
| Species | A. simplex |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Tray Size | 32 |
| Plug Care | Harden off and plant out or bump up to larger pots soon after receiving plugs. When planting out be sure you to not bury the crowns. Plant the plugs so that the top of the growing medium is level with the soil. |
| Netting / Staking | Not necessary. |
| Temperature Range | Hardiness Zones 5-9. Winter dormancy is essential for perennialization. |
| Spacing | 24" |
| Soil Preference | Well draining, humus rich, moist soil is preferred. Water consistently - prefers to always be damp. Never allow to dry out completely. |
| Day Length | Long-day plant. Plant in full sun to part shade. |
| Pinching | Do not pinch. |
| When to Plant | Plant in spring after last frost or anytime through to late summer to give the plants enough time to establish before winter weather hits. |
| Harvesting | Harvest inflorescence when around 1/4 of the bottom flowers are open and the rest are still in bud. Buds will continue to open in the vase. |
| Post Harvest Care | Cut stems should immediately be plunged into cool water. Expect a vase life of approximately a week - the use of a floral preservative will help maximize vase life. You can allow the flowers to go to seed and cut the seed pods for a unique textural element to floral creations. |
| Diseases / Insects | Actaea are quite resistant to insect and disease pressure. Watch for aphids and rust. |
| Bailey's Notes |
This is a slow growing plant when it is young. Full sun promotes the darkest foliage. The old name was Cimicifuga simplex. The white flowers in slender, bottlebrush racemes are extremely fragrant and smell like grape bubblegum. Customers report that 'Black Negligee' has much more vigor than other dark varieties. While it can take shade, give it full sun and lots of water in most zones for the darkest foliage. |
| Resources | Growing Actea |