{"title":"Actaea","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily Ranunculaceae\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eActaea\u003c\/em\u003e — formerly known as \u003cem\u003eCimicifuga\u003c\/em\u003e and still widely listed under that name — is a genus of long-lived, rhizomatous herbaceous perennials native to scrub and the open woods of North America, Europe, and Asia. Elegant, divided foliage in green or deep purple is topped by slender, erect racemes of small, highly fragrant, creamy-white flowers, occasionally followed by ornamental berries in red, black, or white. Please note that all parts of the plant are poisonous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest grown in cool, dappled shade in moist, reasonably fertile soil, enriched with organic matter. A mulch helps maintain soil moisture and condition. Taller varieties may benefit from staking. Actaea tolerates most soils if well prepared, but dislikes hot, dry conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA superb choice for woodland gardens, shady borders, and cottage garden schemes. Combines beautifully with \u003cem\u003eHakonechloa macra\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Albo Striata’, \u003cem\u003eAnemone\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003ehybrida\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Honorine Jobert’, \u003cem\u003eHosta\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003ePulmonaria\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"actaea-simplex-atropurpurea-group-brunette","title":"Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Brunette'","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘Brunette’ produces sweetly scented cream flower spikes on slender purple stems in autumn, above lush, near-black divided foliage. Many customers buy it for the foliage alone, only to be delighted by the gorgeous flowers that appear later in the season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wonderful addition to a woodland or herbaceous border. No staking required. Plant in humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil in dappled shade. It will tolerate a slightly sunnier position than green-leaved forms — morning or late afternoon sun is fine — but avoid hot, dry spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeight × Spread: 120cm × 80cm\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"3 Litre","offer_id":52922067026262,"sku":"103692","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/20260328-Actaea_simplex_Atropurpurea_Group_Brunette.jpg?v=1782657880"},{"product_id":"actaea-simplex-atropurpurea-group-james-compton","title":"Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘James Compton’ is one of the more compact Actaea, producing tall spikes of sweetly scented cream flowers above deep purple foliage in autumn. The faded flower stems remain upright well into winter, looking beautiful rimed with frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the most sweetly scented Actaea we grow, it is excellent for adding fine texture and late-season interest to a shaded border — and pollinators seek it out eagerly. Plant in humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil in dappled shade. It will tolerate a slightly sunnier position than green-leaved forms, but avoid hot, dry spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeight × Spread: 100cm × 60cm\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"3 Litre","offer_id":52922067288406,"sku":"103693","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/20181002-20181002-ACTAEA_simplex_Atropurpurea_Group_James_Compton_-020508.jpg?v=1782657838"},{"product_id":"actaea-simplex-atropurpurea-group","title":"Actaea simplex Atropurpurea Group","description":"\u003cp\u003eActaea simplex Atropurpurea Group produces fragrant, bottlebrush spikes of soft cream flowers in autumn on tall, elegant stems — perfect for the back of a semi-shaded border or planted in drifts through a woodland scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fern-like foliage emerges with a purple hue, maturing to dark green above and purple beneath — a beautiful combination in its own right. It looks wonderful alongside Japanese Anemone for a long-lasting late-season display. Plant in humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil in partial shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeight × Spread: 150cm × 75cm\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"3 Litre","offer_id":52922067583318,"sku":"103695","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/Hardy_s_Place_Holder.webp?v=1787720736"},{"product_id":"actaea-queen-of-sheba-pbr","title":"Actaea 'Queen of Sheba' PBR","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eActaea\u003c\/em\u003e ‘Queen of Sheba’ PBR stands out among bugbane cultivars for its unusual autumn display. Its sweetly scented, white bottlebrush blooms are finer and more delicate than most, gently arching like fingers away from dark stems that rise from lush, deeply divided, near-black foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts striking silhouette is well suited to a lightly shaded border or woodland garden, where an underplanting of ferns, \u003cem\u003eHosta\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eEpimedium\u003c\/em\u003e highlights the foliage contrast and the flowers emerge from the shade. It thrives in moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade, where pollinators will seek out its nectar-rich blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeight × Spread: 150cm × 80cm\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"1 Litre","offer_id":52922098614614,"sku":"103687","price":11.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/Actaea_Queen_of_Sheba_-3.webp?v=1789626503"},{"product_id":"actaea-simplex-atropurpurea-group-black-negligee","title":"Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Black Negligee'","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘Black Negligee’ is highly sought after for its near-black, deeply divided foliage and the willowy bottlebrush spikes of fluffy, scented white flowers that rise majestically above it in September and October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dramatic foliage is reason enough to grow it — building into generous mounds through summer that provide a striking dark backdrop for neighbouring plants. Rabbit resistant and pollinator-friendly, it thrives in partial shade in cool, humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil. Water well during dry spells in summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeight × Spread: 135cm × 80cm\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"3 Litre","offer_id":52922098745686,"sku":"103690","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/Hardy_s_Place_Holder.webp?v=1787720736"},{"product_id":"actaea-simplex-atropurpurea-group-hillside-black-beauty","title":"Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'Hillside Black Beauty'","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘Hillside Black Beauty’ could be grown for its finely cut, near-black foliage alone. As autumn approaches, tall, gently arching flower stems appear bearing highly fragrant, pale pink bottlebrush flowers — a spectacular combination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil in dappled shade. Unlike green-leaved forms, it will tolerate a slightly sunnier position — morning or late afternoon sun is fine — but avoid hot, dry spots. Best in a sheltered position where the foliage colour can deepen fully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeight × Spread: 200cm × 100cm\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"3 Litre","offer_id":52922098811222,"sku":"102637","price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/Hardy_s_Place_Holder.webp?v=1787720736"},{"product_id":"actaea-simplex-pink-spike","title":"Actaea simplex 'Pink Spike'","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew plants bring such quiet drama to the autumn garden as \u003cem\u003eActaea simplex\u003c\/em\u003e 'Pink Spike'. Slender, sweetly scented spikes of cream-flushed pink flowers rise to 120cm in September and October, floating above a mound of deeply divided, near-black purple foliage that holds its colour from spring right through to the first frosts. The contrast — pale, fragrant flower against dark, architectural leaf — is genuinely arresting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA woodland-edge plant by nature, 'Pink Spike' thrives in dappled shade with moisture-retentive, humus-rich soil. It will tolerate a little morning or late afternoon sun, but avoid hot, dry positions — consistent moisture is the key to keeping that foliage at its darkest and most dramatic. No staking required.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant it where you can appreciate the scent at close range: beside a path, near a bench, or at the front of a shaded border. It combines beautifully with late-season ferns, \u003cem\u003eHakonechloa\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eBistorta\u003c\/em\u003e, and the bold leaves of \u003cem\u003eRodgersia\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeight × Spread: 120cm × 50cm\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"3 Litre","offer_id":53102454800726,"sku":null,"price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"1 Litre","offer_id":55095084482902,"sku":null,"price":11.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/20260322-Actaea_Pink_Spike.jpg?v=1782657881"},{"product_id":"actaea-racemosa","title":"Actaea racemosa","description":"\u003cp\u003eHighly fragrant, creamy white bottlebrush-like flower spikes are carried on slender stems in late summer, held above mid-green foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese plants love woodland conditions with moist soil and shade; an ideal choice for shady or semi-shady borders with humus rich soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight x Spread: 150cm x 60cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"3 Litre","offer_id":53313624441174,"sku":null,"price":18.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/20260322-Actaea_racemosa.jpg?v=1782657878"},{"product_id":"actaea-arizonica","title":"Actaea arizonica","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eActaea arizonica\u003c\/em\u003e is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial from Arizona, found in coniferous forests in damp, shady areas at 5,300–7,000ft. The creamy white, bottlebrush-like flowers are particularly beloved of bumblebees. The light green leaves are deeply cut, spaced along tall, upright stems and also forming a crown at the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlowering in July and August, and endangered in the wild, it needs sheltered, humid conditions and rich, fertile soil to thrive. A shady, sheltered site with yearly mulching would be ideal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHeight × Spread: 125cm × 125cm\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"1 Litre","offer_id":53382672843094,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/20161010-20161010-ACTAEA_arizonica-101533.jpg?v=1782657840"},{"product_id":"actaea-matsumurae-white-pearl-1","title":"Actaea matsumurae 'White Pearl'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePick-up in store only — this item is too tall to post.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInitially bred in the 1930s, \u003cem\u003eActaea matsumurae\u003c\/em\u003e 'White Pearl' remains a popular cultivar for good reason. During summer it forms lush clumps of attractive pale green foliage, from which stately white bottlebrush flowers burst on willowy stems from late summer into autumn. The fragrant flowers are followed by lime-green seedheads that persist into early winter, extending the season of interest beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor an interesting foliage and flower combination in a border or white garden, try planting it with \u003cem\u003eHakonechloa macra\u003c\/em\u003e 'Albo Striata' and \u003cem\u003eAnemone\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003ehybrida\u003c\/em\u003e 'Honorine Jobert'. It performs best in cool, damp, fairly nutrient-rich soil in partial shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight × Spread: 110cm × 75cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"3 Litre","offer_id":53382731202902,"sku":null,"price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/4928\/0598\/files\/Hardy_s_Place_Holder.webp?v=1787720736"},{"product_id":"actaea-cordifolia","title":"Actaea cordifolia","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePick-up in store only - this item is too tall to post.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the eastern US, this deciduous clump-forming perennial is a handsome and rarely seen addition to shady or woodland sites in the UK. Deep green, maple-like leaves form a bold basal mass, while narrow stems rise above the foliage and are topped with creamy, highly scented bottlebrush flowers in late summer and autumn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuch visited by pollinators, these statuesque plants are an attractive way to extend the season in woodland or dappled shade. Hardy to -20°C — plant in neutral to acidic soil enriched with well-rotted organic matter, sheltered from wind to intensify the fragrance and protect the foliage. Will tolerate more alkaline conditions if kept moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCaution: all parts of the plant are poisonous — wear gloves when handling. May also produce black, red or white berries.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight × Spread: 150cm × 50cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","offers":[{"title":"3 Litre","offer_id":54179476144470,"sku":null,"price":16.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/hardysplants.live\/collections\/actaea.oembed","provider":"Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}