Actaea rubra

RHS Plant Profile
red baneberry

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red baneberry RHS 2002

Other common names

black cohosh, coralberry, rattlesnake herb, redberry, snakeberry

Synonyms

Actaea arguta, Actaea erythrocarpa, Actaea rubra subsp. arguta, Actaea spicata 'Erythrocarpa', Actaea spicata subsp. erythrocarpa, Actaea spicata var. erythrocarpa, Actaea spicata var. rubra

Bogs Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming herbaceous perennial to 50cm, with bright green, divided leaves and spikes of small, fluffy white flowers in late spring and early summer, followed by glossy scarlet berries

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in cool, moist, reasonably fertile soil in partial shade but will tolerate most soils if enriched with organic matter

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn or by division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering or fruiting

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free