Actaea cordifolia
heart-shaped-leaved actaea
A clump-forming herbaceous perennial up to 1.5m high with dark green leaves which are up to 60cm long and biternate with broadly obovate leaflets which are 12-20cm long, lobed, and heart-shaped at the base. It has branched, sometimes curved racemes, to 60cm long, of creamy white flowers, each 1cm long. In summer, the flowers are scented but some people find the scent unpleasant
Synonyms
Cimicifuga racemosa var. cordifoliaCimicifuga cordifolia (DC.) Torrey & A.Gray
see moreCimicifuga rubifolia
Actaea racemosa var. cordifolia
Actaea rubifolia
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Actaea are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with compound leaves and small creamy-white flowers in short, erect, simple or branched terminal racemes, followed either by poisonous red, black or white berries, or by star-shaped clustered brown follicles
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- E & SE USA
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in cool, moist, humus-rich, preferably neutral or slightly acidic soil in partial shade, for example in a woodland garden or shaded herbaceous or mixed bed
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown when ripe in containers in a cold frame or in a nursery bed in autumn, or by division in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.