Friday, September 23, 2011

Black Snakeroot, Deciduous Perennial of the Day


Cimicifuga ramosa 'Hillside Black Beauty'
    Black Snakeroot

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    4A to 8A
Height    6' to 7' / 1.80m to 2.20m
Spread    24" to 4' / 60cm to 1.20m
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full shade to full sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    Pink and white
Bloom Time    Fall

The flowers are fragrant, suitable for cut flowers and suitable for dried flowers.

Leaf Color    Purple
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
The long bottlebrush flower spikes of this plant give it its height and erect form.  C. ramosa is a later flowering species.  It performs wonderfully when planted as a woodland border as it is very shade tolerant.  Divisions can be made in early spring, and seeds can be gathered in late fall.   Plant goes well with: Rodgersia, Ligularia, Astilbe, gold-leafed hostas and ferns.  'Hillside Black Beauty' (Patent # 9,988) has very dark, purplish-black leaves and pinkish-white blossoms.  Asexual propagation of this plant is prohibited.


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