Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants
Actaea cordifolia
Actaea cordifolia
Low stock: 6 left
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Plants are dispatched in growing condition and may not be in full flower. If too tall to pack safely, we may cut them back — this helps them establish more quickly. Read our Mail Order FAQs.
Pick-up in store only - this item is too tall to post.
Native to the eastern US, this deciduous clump-forming perennial is a handsome and rarely seen addition to shady or woodland sites in the UK. Deep green, maple-like leaves form a bold basal mass, while narrow stems rise above the foliage and are topped with creamy, highly scented bottlebrush flowers in late summer and autumn.
Much visited by pollinators, these statuesque plants are an attractive way to extend the season in woodland or dappled shade. Hardy to -20°C — plant in neutral to acidic soil enriched with well-rotted organic matter, sheltered from wind to intensify the fragrance and protect the foliage. Will tolerate more alkaline conditions if kept moist.
Caution: all parts of the plant are poisonous — wear gloves when handling. May also produce black, red or white berries.
Height × Spread: 150cm × 50cm
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Plant Notes
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Care Guide:
Grow in cool, dappled shade in moist, reasonably fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Mulch to maintain soil moisture and condition. Cut back to around 5cm once the foliage dies back in autumn. Actaea is long-lived and can be left undisturbed — it does not need regular division. It dislikes hot, dry conditions.
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Good to Know:
Wildlife-friendly — nectar-rich flowers attract bumblebees and other pollinators in autumn.
Long-lived and easy to grow once established.
⚠️ Humans: Harmful if eaten. -