Cimicifuga, Actaea, bugbane, snakeroot (lots of AKA)
rouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
11 years ago
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gardenecstasy
11 years agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Cimicifuga racemosa
Comments (12)Mine (a different dark-leaved variety, Brunette) grows happily in a spot with a bit of morning sun and a bit of late afternoon sun, and relatively bright shade between. It's not a formal plant, but is quite nice - I wouldn't say only for a natural setting. The flowers are long bottle brushes, and come at a time when not a lot else is blooming in late summer. I find the foliage quite striking, rather like a larger, dark astilbe. The foliage is a tiny bit fuzzy and has a slightly unpleasant odor to my nose when brushed against, so I wouldn't put it right next to a door or pathway where people would come in contact with it, but a couple of feet away would be fine. I put mine in a bed where I knew some utility work would be happening down the road and I'd need to move it at some point. I thought perenials would be easier to move than shrubs after a couple of years . . . Well, the moving time arrived last fall, and the Cimicifuga had a large, dense, HEAVY rootball after just three years, so I would advise putting it where you won't have to move it. How about placing it just to the right or left of your cellar window?...See MoreCimicifuga
Comments (3)You are looking at two different species. Actaea (formerly Cimicifuga) racemosa is most likely the native bugbane you are seeing, although could also be A. americana - the two species are pretty well muddled. It blooms mid summer, generally July or August. Actaea simplex and hybrids are commonly known as autumn bugbane or snakeroot and bloom later, usually around September or October. These selections include the dark foliaged forms like 'Brunette', 'Black Negligee', 'James Compton', etc. , collectively known as the 'Atropurpurea Group'. These are sometimes sold as Cimicifuga ramosa, however that taxonomy is invalid. All in all, the taxonomy of this genus is pretty messed up when researching or tracking down specific plants :-) Selections of each are widely mislabeled in the trade. But very generally, Actaea or Cimicifuga racemosa will have early blooms, green foliage and unpleasantly scented flowers while A. or C. simplex/ramosa will have later blooms, often deep wine or burgundy foliage and honey-scented flowers. Are you confused enough now?? :-)...See More?? re Black snakeroot - Winter Sowing success?
Comments (16)Muy bueno & thanks to all who posted responses on this one! I'm going to harvest the seeds I see forming and take my 'leap of faith' by winter sowing them on the solstice. Far as I'm concerned they're getting their "warm" today & tomorrow when the temp is hovering around 60 degrees here in north central CT. I checked Google + the garden watchdog website before posting the question here and got some good information but nothing related to winter sowing. Once I see the results of WS these seeds, I'll add my information to the DG website for the benefit of others. morz8 - one poster on the DG website said he/she transplants the self-sown seedlings every year. I'm no expert but since this is an eastern U.S. native species, could the reason you don't see self-seeds is your location? If I thought I'd remember to do it, I'd promise to post my results. Anybody who's curious is welcome to ping me and ask when the time comes....See MoreBlack Bugbane, does anyone grow this plant? Please help
Comments (4)That is very odd Mike. I grow 'Brunette' & 'Hillside Black Beauty' and they retain the dark foliage year to year. I know that the ones with dark foliage need some sun to retain the darkness of the leaves - too much shade and they will lose much of the coloration. Is your soil moisture retentive as they like it to be? I can't see that making a difference though, the foliage would just get a little fried not lose colour. They are hardy in zones 4-8 so I can't see that being an issue either. Sorry that I cannot be of any help....See Morerbrady
11 years agoaachenelf z5 Mpls
11 years agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
11 years agoninamarie
11 years agorouge21_gw (CDN Z5b/6a)
11 years agothe_plant_geek
11 years ago
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