Brunette Bugbane (Actaea simplex 'Brunette')

Brunette Bugbane (Actaea simplex 'Brunette'), also known as cohosh, pairs deep purple-black foliage with tall, fragrant white flower spikes in late summer and fall. The pale flowers stand out against the dark leaves, adding contrast and height to shaded plantings.

Plant it in a moist woodland garden or shaded border alongside ferns or leopard plant for contrasting leaf shapes and textures.

Growing details

• Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
• Origins: East Asia
• Mature size: 3–4 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide
• Spacing: Approximately 2 feet apart
• Hardiness: USDA zones 3–8
• Light: Part shade to full shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil
• Flowers: Fragrant white spikes in late summer and fall
• Foliage: Deep purple-black leaves

Care and garden use

This low-maintenance perennial needs consistently moist soil to help prevent scorched leaf margins. Watch for rust and leaf spot.

Use as an accent or in grouped plantings, shaded borders, woodland gardens, wildlife gardens, or containers with suitable moisture and drainage.

Image credits: Leonora (Ellie) Enking, Actaea simplex 'Brunette'; Kerry Woods, Actaea simplex - Ranunculaceae; Amazonia Exotics U.K, Actaea Brunette cohosh September 2014 U.K, CC BY-SA 4.0. Plants naturally vary in appearance and may differ from the images shown.