Actaea simplex 'Pink Spike'

Description: A noteworthy plant with rich chocolate purple coloured large leaves emerging in the spring and keeping this rich colour through till autumn.  The long bottle brush like flower spikes appear late in the summer. The scented spikes are light coloured to start and deepen to rich pink with maturity which provide superb contrast with the foliage. Of great attraction to butterflies,   If left after flowering they give additional interest in winter. Clump forming.

Uses: Good in a woodland area or stream side.  Also good at the back of the herbaceous or mixed border 

Climate/Position: Damp partial shade preferred

Height/Spread: 1.2 metres x 1 metre

Soil Requirements: Moist humus rich rich.  Dislikes drying out

Pruning: Cut down the old flower stems and tidy plant in late winter

Special Requirements: Good to support the plants with herbaceous supports as the stems grow in late spring.

Additional Interest: Previously known and still often listed as Cimicifuga.  May cause irritation to skin.