Caulophyllum thalictroides (Blue Cohosh)

Valued for its attractive foliage and ornamental blue berries, Caulophyllum thalictroides (Blue Cohosh) is an elegant, rhizomatous perennial with lacy, refined, blue-green leaves divided into three leaflets. The emerging stems and leaves boast purplish highlights. In mid to late spring, sprays of inconspicuous, green or yellow-brown, star-shaped flowers, 1/2 in. (1 cm), appear above the foliage. The petals bear fleshy nectar glands that are visited by early solitary bees. They are followed in summer by erect clusters of showy, bright blue, berry-like seeds. They persist and provide early fall interest even after the foliage has declined. Easy to grow, requiring minimum care, and long-lived, Blue Cohosh does best in shady woodland areas with humus-rich slightly acidic soil.

• Rising up to 12-36 in. tall (30-90 cm) and 6-12 in. wide (15-30 cm). Will spread very slowly by rhizomes to form colonies.
• Performs best in rich, consistently moist, neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained soils in part shade or full shade. A heavy winter coat of mixed leaves should be left on the plant in the spring
• Virtually pest and disease free, Blue Cohosh is excellent for naturalizing in woodland gardens, and wild or native plant gardens.
• Propagate by seed or divide the rootstock in autumn. Slow to establish from seed.
• Berries, roots, and leaves of this plant may cause skin irritation if touched, and the raw berries may be poisonous to children if ingested.
• Native to eastern and central North America.