Back to our Blog

Actaea simplex ‘Pink Spire’ February 2016 Plant of the Month

Actaea simplex ‘Pink Spire’ February 2016 Plant of the Month

Landscape design, perennial garden

February Plant of The Month is Pink Spire Bugbane which is a top performer when a little late summer color is needed in a shaded garden. Just when all around you is just more green, Pink Spire sends out these spikes of whitish-pink flowers that can reach five feet above the ground. Added bonus is that I have never seen anything eat this plant in the 14 years that I can been landscaping. A must have plant for every shade garden.

BOTANICAL NAME Actaea simplex‘Pink Spire’
COMMON NAME Pink Spire Bugbane
DESCRIPTION Dark purplish-black foliage emerges in spring followed by spikes of fragrant soft pink flowers that reach four-five feet in height.
FAMILY Ranunculaceae
HEIGHT 36 inches
WIDTH 24 inches
HABIT Upright
ZONES 3 to 9
EXPOSURE Full Shade to Partial Shade
FLOWER COLOR Pink
BLOOM SEASON July-August
COMPANION PLANTS Hosta, Hakeonechloa, Pulmonaria, Dicentra
GROWING AND MAINTENANCE TIPS Does best in moist, rich, fertile but well-drained soils in part to full shade.
NOTES Woodland garden. Cut flowers. Back of border. The name bugbane is in reference to the insect repellant properties of plants in this genus.