About Actaea simplex (DC.) Wormsk. ex Fisch. & C.A.Mey.
Actaea simplex (DC.) Wormsk. ex Fisch. & C.A.Mey. grows to 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) tall and 0.6 metres (2.0 ft) wide. It has trifoliate and pinnate basal leaves. In summer, it produces erect or arching stems that bear short terminal racemes of fragrant white blooms. This plant grows best in medium-moisture soils, and in conditions ranging from part shade to full shade. In the United States, it is suited to hardiness zones 4 through 8. It is critical to avoid letting these plants dry out when placed in hot, sunny locations. In UK cultivation, plants are still referenced and sold under their old scientific name, Cimicifuga simplex. They are popular garden plants, valued for providing summer colour. The Atropurpurea Group of cultivars has deep purple or black stems, with pink-tinged flowers. The following cultivars of Actaea simplex have earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: 'Brunette', the compact form 'Hillside Black Beauty' which has pale pink flowers, and 'James Compton'.
