Red Baneberry For Shade Gardens

Photo:

Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra) is a good choice for cool shade gardens due to its lovely leaves, blooms, and vivid red berries. Find it in nature in the woods and clearings.

The stalk of this perennial plant is 30 to 40 cm long (up to about 18 inches). It differs from white baneberry by having a rounder cluster of terminal blooms that are tiny and white. It has red berries on a thin green stem.

Quick Growing Guide

Botanical Name: Actaea rubra

En français: Actée rouge

Colour:

Blooms:

Sun / Shade:

Water: Regular watering needed

Pollinators:

Hardiness Zones:

Caring for Red Baneberry

The preference is light to moderate shade, moist to mesic conditions, and a somewhat acidic soil consisting of sandy loam, loam, or clay-loam with decaying organic matter. Cut back after flowering or fruiting. The seeds are slow to germinate, typically taking 2 years or more under natural conditions.

A full view of a actaea rubra plant with red fruit

Companion Plants

Companion plant suggestions include Sugar maple, white pine, white ash, red oak and basswood for the upper story. Plant this with other spring ephemerals such as spring beauty, toothwort, wild geranium, hepatica, bloodroot, zig-‐zag goldenrod. If the site is quite moist, add pagoda dogwood, starry Solomon’s plume, and skunk cabbage.

Toxicity to Humans and Pets

Like white baneberry, be aware that the plant is extremely toxic, including the leaves, stalk, rhizomes and especially the berries. This is not a good choice of plant for gardens where children or animals may roam. It can cause cardiac arrest in humans and dogs, and major discomfort for cats. However, because the berries are quite bitter, ingestion is unlikely to occur.

Comments

Logging in to comment gives you more features, but it is not required.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More on Gardening Calendar

Red Trillium, a Popular Wildflower

Welcome the spring with the gorgeous, fragrant blooms of Red Trillium! Discover all you need to know to successfully cultivate this iconic wildflower and appreciate its beauty in your garden. Learn about the White Trillium, its sister plant in the same botanical family.

How to Grow the Delicate Harebell

Admire the delicate and graceful harebell wildflower with its deep bluish-purple flowers, native to North America and Europe, that are eaten raw, used to make dye, and believed to give witches the power of transformation. A perfect addition to the rock garden that grows through summer and fall, and pollinated by hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.

Growing All My Peppers in Pots

Plant peppers and make terracotta pot wreaths this winter while enjoying the warmth of the woodstove in your garden. You will get the benefit of pollinators going to your peppers and the joy of finished decoration for your outdoor space. A great way to spend your evening!

How To Grow Lemon Trees From Seed

Cultivate your own mini-orchard indoors with minimal effort and ingenuity with Tips On Growing Citrus Indoors Zone 7 or Lower. Learn the secrets to growing a lemon tree and other citrus fruits inside with the right type of tree, organic lemon, good quality soil and more!

Easy, Breezy Houseplants that Cool Your Home

Beat the summer heat with these 5 eco-friendly houseplants to cool your home. Aloe Vera, Bamboo Palm, Sansevieria, Peace Lily, and Areca Palm Tree not only look good, but will help keeping your house cool, clean and humid.

Lilac Care and Propagation

Lilacs are some of the most beautiful plants, with their vibrant colours and sweet fragrance! They are a favourite addition for many gardens.

Flowering Cactus: How To Make Cactus Bloom [All Year Round]

Discover how to get desert cacti to bloom with the right environment and care. Get tips for providing the perfect environment for desert and holiday cacti, so you’ll be enjoying blossoms all year long. Check out this article to learn how to keep temperatures cool and light intensity high to stimulate blooming.