Actaea simplex 'Pink Spike'
baneberry 'Pink Spike'
'Pink Spike' is a cultivar which, at about 1.4m in height, is a little shorter than most. It has divided, dark purple, palmate leaves and pale pink bottle-brush flowers in September. These are scented and are loved by bees and butterflies
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Purple | ||
| Autumn | Purple | Pink White | Purple | |
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in cool, moist, moderately fertile soil, enriched with organic matter. Water thoroughly in dry weather. Prefers partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by division in early spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back after flowering
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.