VANDERMEER

PLANT LIBRARY

Find the perfect plant for your space by browsing through this extensive selection that we typically carry every year.

This library is for information purposes only.

 
perennial

Pink Spike Bugbane

Actaea racemosa 'Pink Spike'

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Pink Spike Bugbane (Actaea racemosa 'Pink Spike') at Vandermeer Nursery

Pink Spike Bugbane foliage

Pink Spike Bugbane foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Pink Spike Bugbane (Actaea racemosa 'Pink Spike') at Vandermeer Nursery

Pink Spike Bugbane foliage

Pink Spike Bugbane foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  3 feet

Flower Height:  5 feet

Spread:  24 inches

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Other Names:  Black Snakeroot, Black Cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa

Description:

Whimsical spikes of light pink flowers hover above highly contrasting dark purple foliage on this striking variety that is perfect for the back of borders; likes to be consistently moist and prefers partial shade

Ornamental Features

Pink Spike Bugbane features bold spikes of fragrant shell pink flowers rising above the foliage from late summer to early fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive serrated compound leaves emerge dark green in spring, turning deep purple in colour with hints of black throughout the season. The brown fruits are carried on spikes from late summer to late winter. The deep purple stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Pink Spike Bugbane is an herbaceous perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other garden plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting birds and bees to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Pink Spike Bugbane is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Pink Spike Bugbane will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 5 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selection of a native North American species, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Garden  Naturalizing 
Applications
Flowers  Fruit  Foliage Color  Bark  Winter Value  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features

** Plants listed may not be in stock at all times. **

Please contact us directly for current stock availability.
 
Our inventory varies seasonally and we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times. To confirm if we have the plant that you're looking for, please call (905) 427-2525 or e-mail  us at info@vandermeernursery.com.
 
Remember, this library does not include our entire selection. Visit us year-round to check out varieties that may not be listed here!