Actaea 'Queen of Sheba'
"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
Dark and alluring Actaea 'Queen of Sheba' is such a dreamboat. This queen is dramatic in looks but certainly not by nature. Being reliable, strong, resilient and welcoming to wildlife, she’s nailed all the most important features and topped it off with arresting beauty. Preferring a shady position, the astounding perennial Actaea 'Queen of Sheba' lights up the shadows through summer and autumn with its sweetly-scented racemes of white bottlebrush flowers which flare in a fountain-like fashion above a contrasting mass of dark purple-bronze foliage.
Actaea 'Queen of Sheba' looks and performs best in a dappled or partially shaded space, in cool slightly damp but free draining soil. With near-black foliage, it’s not only striking on its own but acts as the perfect backdrop for bright blooms, such as begonias. This plant also combines spectacularly with other shade-tolerant perennials such as Astilbe, Astrantia, Epimedium and Hosta.
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 'Queen of Sheba'ᴾᴮᴿ
(A. cangshan × A. simplex) -
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 'Queen of Sheba' 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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