Actaea 'Brunette'
"Baneberry"
Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025
Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025
Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
UK orders over £50
Free shipping
UK orders under £50
£4.99
Northern Ireland orders under £50
£5.99
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Description
Actaea 'Brunette' is a stunner. From late spring it produces spectacular dark chocolate brown-purple foliage, and from August onwards its snowy-white flower spikes contrast beautifully with the leaves. These flower spikes last through to October, providing useful colour at a time when the garden can be sadly lacking in floral interest. And, as if that isn’t enough, the flowers are also delightfully scented!
Reaching a mature height of 150 cm / 60", Actaea simplex 'Brunette' can be grown mid-way or at the back of a garden border where its unusual coloured foliage will create a real talking point. Or it can be grown in a patio container. Sheltered sites are best to protect the flowers from strong winds. Few gardeners realise, too, that the flowers of Actaea can be cut and used within floral arrangements indoors.
Actaeas used to be known under the name cimicifuga, and they have the common name of baneberry – possibly because they are the bane of rabbits. These pesky animals will leave them alone, so if your garden regularly falls victim to these countryside pests, your Actaea should be safe!
NOTE: Most Actaeas are harmful if eaten, and can trigger skin irritations.
Key features
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Good for cutting
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Comes back every year
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Fragrant
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Attractive to wildlife
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Loved by pollinators
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Great for shade
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In peat-free compost
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RHS Award (AGM)
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Fully hardy
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Rodent resistant
Specs & details
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Botanical name
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea group) 'Brunette'
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Flower colour
White, purple
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Plant size
1
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Established height
1.2-1.5m
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Established spread
50-70cm
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Plant spacing
6 plants per m2
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Leaf colour
Purple, bronze
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Habit
Upright
Clump-forming -
Life cycle
Perennial
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Hardiness
Fully hardy
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Years to establish
2-3 years
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Sunlight
Partial shade
Dappled shade -
Position
Sheltered
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Suitable for
Borders
Wildlife gardens
Woodland gardens
Water gardens
Cottage gardens
Cut flower gardens -
Soil acidity
Any
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Soil moisture
Damp
Boggy
Free draining -
Soil type
Clay
Loam
Multipurpose compost -
RHS Award (AGM)
Yes
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Growing skill
Easy to grow
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Scented
Yes
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Pollinator-friendly
Yes
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Mouse resistant
Yes
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Rabbit resistant
Yes
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Deer resistant
Yes
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Toxicity
No report
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Squirrel resistant
Yes
Plant calendar
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Planting
- Flowering
Useful information
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Soak the Actaea 'Brunette' roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting
Plant your "Baneberry" bare roots into temporary pots with a multipurpose compost in spring and grow-on in a sheltered spot outdoors
Choose a pot which comfortably fits the bare roots. Some have a noticeable crown which should be just below the soil surface with any top growth exposed. Some varieties are a length of root which should be planted lengthways and shallowly (1-2cm deep).
Plant out into borders or permanent containers in late spring or early summer once in full growth. Choose a position in sun or shade depending on the variety.
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Orders placed until 29 February 2025
You can expect your order in February/March 2025Orders placed 1 March - 15 April 2025
You can expect your order in March/April 2025Orders placed 16 April - 15 May 2025
You can expect your order within 10 business days
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