black cohosh
Actaea racemosa
RHS AGM 1993
USDA zones4 to 8
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size4 to 7 feet tall2 to 4 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acidic (pH<6.8)
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is a perennial for shade gardens, woodland plantings, borders, and naturalized areas. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and average to moist, loamy or clay soil. It forms a large, bush-like clump with compound, toothed leaves and long candles of tiny, white, fuzzy flowers. Deer and rabbits tend to browse other plants first. An hour or two of morning sun gives the best light.
Pairs well with Bellwort, Western sword fern, and Wood lily.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 22 more places. See all 26
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV; ON, and QC.