Cimicifuga actaea 'Brunette' is a striking cultivar prized for its dramatic dark purplish black foliage and tall bottlebrush spikes of fragrant white flowers. Blooming late in the season, it brings vertical structure and movement to shaded gardens. Its scent is notably sweet attracting night and day pollinators alike, and the foliage color remains bold throughout the growing season even in dense shade.
Height & Spread: 48 - 60 in x 24 - 36 in
Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Moist, rich, well drained soil
Watering Needs: Moderate; consistent moisture preferred
Deer Resistance: Generally resistant to deer due to aromatic foliage
Native Status
This cultivar is derived from Actaea racemosa, a species native to eastern North America. It retains the pollinator value and growth habit of the native species while adding ornamental leaf color.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Attracts fall flying butterflies such as Red Admiral and Painted Lady who are drawn to its fragrant nectar rich blooms.
Bees
- Supports native bumblebees, sweat bees, and long tongued solitary bees active late in the season.
Moths
- Highly fragrant flowers attract night flying moths such as the White Lined Sphinx and various owlet moths.
Birds
- Seed heads persist into winter and may be foraged by finches and other small songbirds. The tall stems also offer vertical structure for shelter.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 24 - 36 in apart to allow for full clump development and airflow around tall flowering stems.
Landscape Placement
- Best placed in the mid to back of shaded borders, woodland gardens, or naturalized understory plantings where height and dark foliage can contrast with lighter leaved companions.
Companion Plants
- Polygonatum biflorum (Solomons Seal) - Adds arching, variegated foliage and early season flowers in layered plantings.
- Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn Fern) - Provides coppery emerging fronds and lush texture in shaded sites.
- Rodgersia aesculifolia (Rodgersia) - Broad, textured leaves contrast well with the finely divided foliage of Brunette.
- Aruncus dioicus (Goats Beard) - Tall, feathery plumes and coarse texture offer a native foil to Brunette’s dark leaves.
- Hosta 'Empress Wu' - Massive green foliage complements the vertical presence of Brunette and thrives in similar shade.