Even by tissue culture, propagation is a slow process; hence the higher prices. BUT you should be able to pick up gallons anywhere from $12-$20 depending on variety and nursery. Of course, dark-leaved varieties are slower growing. General info: The plants formerly known as Cimicifuga are typically later bloomers, get huge, and have seed pods as opposed to berries. They like some afternoon shade, but should be in a bright location with some direct morning or evening sun. They are typically woodland edge/savana plants. They don't want to be dry, but I don't find them to be water hogs once they're established either. Treat them like most plants and the'll be fine. They can tolerate full sun with extra water. I highly recommend A. 'Black Negligee' as it has been the fastest growing dark-leaved variety I've tried. Actaea pachypoda, rubra, and a few others are the baneberries. I often see 'Misty Blue' being listed without its species name; it is a form of A. pachypoda. A. pachypoda gets white berries in summer. A rubra gets red berries, though there are white-berried populations. A. nigra is european and gets black berries. They are spring blooming woodland plants and tolerate shade very well. They all have white flowers followed by berries, either red, white, or black. All berries are poisonous. I find them growing here in maple/beech forests, which tend to be very dark. They get 2-3' tall depending on species and variety. A. pachypoda tends to be taller and more upright @ 2'-3', A. rubra is more bushy and shorter and closer to 18"-24". Best bet for success is rich soil with lots of organic matter and even moisture. Some morning sun is good for vigor, especially with A. rubra, but afternoon sun should be avoided. Currently the only one I'm aware of being vegetatively produced with any regularity is 'Misty Blue'. The rest are either seed grown (and fairly expensive- it takes up to 2 year to germinate the seed and another 5-7 years to be a salable plant) or wild collected. Wild collected material should be avoided unless you can certify it came from a construction site rescue. Plant to pay $10 or more for 4.5" quart pots for A. rubra, somewhat less for A. pachypoda as it's a bit faster growing. Both groups are easy to grow, but require some patience. The Plant Geek www.confessionsofaplantgeek.com www.botanophilia.com www.facebook.com/botanophilia

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?? :-)

Ellen, I reroute my dog's paths using those nearly invisible mini-fences made from hinged green wire in arch shaped sections. For a couple of bucks, I can put a little barricade around a choice plant or a newly planted sapling or division. He could step over these, he's pretty tall, but he generally goes around instead - I think the green wire confuses him just a little - it makes him think he won''t know where it is in relation to his feet. I get these at the hardware store and usually use 3 panels to make a triangle around whatever I need to protect. They're good for plants that flop, too, and really easy to get into position (even after the flopping has happened). And, they really can't be seen except around narrow, upright plants.

Thank you! Gardenprince, it’s interesting that your James Compton is in full sun and doesn’t flower, whereas mine is in full to dappled shade and doesn’t flower. I may move the one that is in the woodland garden. The leaves are pretty but since it never achieves any height, I can’t see it there. I’ll plug one of the new species racemosa into its spot. Peren.all, NHBabs, what kind of spread does your species racemosa have? I’m staking out locations. They are coming bare root next week. I’ll have to see how Black Negligee does this year. It was a costly impulse purchase at a local nursery with high prices. It was a large specimen, though. Of course now I want it to justify my faith. The flowers did not smell bad, though: quite the opposite. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for Brunette or Hillside Black Beauty.