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Growing Baneberry


Actaea rubra or Baneberry is one of the most sought after of perennial shade plants and one of the finest.

How To Grow


Grow this plant in rich, damp, woodland soils. Do not try growing it in dry shade or it will simply wither away.

It is a perfect plant for that dampish spot where few other things will live. Clay soils aren't favorites because the plant requires high levels of organic matter to really thrive.

A deep mulch will be appreciated in warmer areas to help keep the soil cool and damp.

If you grow this plant in a boggy soil next to a pond, you will find it will tolerate more sunlight.

Hardiness


A USDA zone 4 with a protected 3 is likely going to keep this plant alive. It has been quite hardy for me in a USDA 4.
baneberry

Propagation


Divide this plant in the spring for easiest and best results.

or

Sow seed in the fall. Strip the seed out of the berries and sow outdoors in a cold frame (protected from mice).

Barely cover the seed but do keep it moist (mimic its natural conditions). It may take two years to grow up into a moveable plant.

Old seed (from seed houses) will not likely germinate. If you get it fresh in the fall from the seed house, you should be fine.

Varieties


A rubra (red baneberry) will grow to 80cm tall and is native to North America from Alaska all the way south to Mexico. Lovely red berries in the fall.

A alba (white baneberry) pretty much looks like A. rubra except it has white berries in the fall and is native to the eastern part of North America






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actaea rubra


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baneberry
Actaea rubra