bugbane
Actaea podocarpa
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles partial sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size3 to 7 feet tall2 to 4 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Loam, clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Bugbane (Actaea podocarpa) is a perennial for shade gardens, woodland plantings, borders, and pollinator gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes part sun to full shade and average to wet, loamy or clay soil. White flowers open in early to late summer and again in early to late autumn, and butterflies and bees visit the blooms. It sits low on the menu for deer and rabbits. It grows slowly, so give it time to fill in.
Pairs well with Blue wood aster, Canadian white violet, and Canada wild rye.
Native range
Eastern United States.