Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton' (Baneberry)
Baneberry 'James Compton', Bugbane 'James Compton', Cimicifuga ramosa 'James Compton', Cimicifuga simplex 'James Compton', Cohosh 'James Compton', Actaea simplex 'James Compton', James Compton Snakeroot
Fabulous at adding architectural height and late summer blooms to a shaded border, award-winning Actaea simplex 'James Compton' (Baneberry) is a striking, compact, bronze-leaved bugbane variety. Opening from pink buds in late summer to early fall, attractive, purple stemmed fluffy spires, packed with deliciously fragrant white flowers with a pink tinge, gracefully bob and sway in the breeze. They rise elegantly above a bronze, almost black, lacy foliage which provides excellent texture and color to the landscape throughout the growing season. Spectacular with golden Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa Macra).
- Won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
- Typically growing up to 3 ft. tall (90 cm) and 2 ft. wide (60 cm), this Baneberry thrives in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Moist, moderately fertile soil, enriched with organic matter is preferred. Don't let the soil dry out or the foliage will suffer. Provide a sheltered location from strong winds. The flower spires tend to bend toward bright light when grown in substantial shade.
- Trouble-free and easy to care for, Baneberry is a welcomed addition to beds, borders, woodlands, cottage gardens, and naturalized areas.
- Attracts birds and butterflies and deer ignore it!
- Cut back after flowering or fruiting. Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in fall or by division in early spring.
- Actaea simplex is native to Kamchatka, Sakhalin and Siberian regions of Russia, western China, Manchuria, Mongolia, Korea, and Japan.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Actaea - Baneberries |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
* Picture courtesy of Rhonda Fleming Hayes, Flickr
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.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Actaea - Baneberries |
Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Attracts | Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |