Create Your Garden

Actaea rubra (Red Baneberry)

Red Baneberry, Black Cohosh, Coralberry, Rattlesnake Herb, Redberry Snakeberry, Actaea arguta, Actaea erythrocarpa, Actaea rubra subsp. arguta, Actaea spicata 'Erythrocarpa', Actaea spicata subsp. erythrocarpa, Actaea spicata var. erythrocarpa, Actaea spicata var. rubra

Actaea rubra, Red Baneberry, Black Cohosh, Coralberry, Rattlesnake Herb, Redberry Snakeberry

Perfect for shade gardens, Actaea rubra (Red Baneberry) is herbaceous perennial forming bushy clumps of finely divided, bright green foliage, enhanced by clusters of small fluffy white flowers in late spring and early summer. Borne on conspicuous red stems which rise above the foliage, they give way to pea-sized glossy scarlet berries in summer. Because of its attractive foliage, flowers, and bright red berries, Red Baneberry is an excellent selection for cool shade gardens.

  • Typically grows up to 20 in. tall (50 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 cm).
  • Thrives in cool, moist, reasonably fertile soils in part shade. Will tolerate most soils if enriched with organic matter.
  • Baneberry is a welcomed addition to beds and borders, woodlands, cottage gardens, and naturalized areas.
  • Generally pest and disease free.
  • Cut back after flowering or fruiting.
  • Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn or by division in early spring.
  • The berries are extremely poisonous if eaten.
  • Native to North America

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Actaea
Common names Red Baneberry, Black Cohosh, Baneberry, Coralberry
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, California, Northeast, Alaska, Midwest, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Michigan, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, Ohio, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Actaea (Baneberry)
Not sure which Actaea (Baneberry) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ (Baneberry)
Actaea pachypoda (White Baneberry)
Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh)
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) ‘Mountain Wave’ (Baneberry)
Actaea simplex ‘Pink Spike’ (Baneberry)
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) ‘Black Negligee’ (Baneberry)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

30 Great Perennials for Shade
Actaea simplex (Bugbane)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Actaea
Common names Red Baneberry, Black Cohosh, Baneberry, Coralberry
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, California, Northeast, Alaska, Midwest, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Michigan, South Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, Ohio, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming
Attracts Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Actaea (Baneberry)
Not sure which Actaea (Baneberry) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Actaea rubra (Red Baneberry) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Actaea rubra (Red Baneberry) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone