Actaea simplex
Autumn bugbane (Actaea simplex) is a perennial that reaches 1.5 m × 80 cm after ten years. Light: part shade, shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about PLN 19.
A tall perennial for shade that carries long, white, strongly scented bottlebrush spikes from late summer into mid autumn, when most shade plants have finished. Give it moist, humus-rich soil in part shade: the dark-leaved forms scorch in hot sun and dry ground. It is slow to settle in and needs a few years, but then lives long and prefers to be left undisturbed.
| Group | Perennial |
| Light | Part shade, Shade |
| Size after 10 years | 1.5 m × 80 cm |
| Ultimate size | 0.9–1.8 m × 0.6–1.2 m |
| Hardiness | down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Clay |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Flowering | August–October, white, pink |
| Water need | High |
| Drought tolerance | Low |
| Maintenance | Medium |
| Root aggressiveness | Low |
| Suckering | no data |
| Spreading | Low |
| Distance from buildings | no data |
| Distance from paving | no data |
| Litter | not typical |
| Planting distance | 60 cm |
| For dogs | Toxic (uncertain) |
| For cats | Toxic (uncertain) |
| For children | Toxic |
| Typical price | from about PLN 19 |
Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.
The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.
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Size
|
Typical price
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|---|---|
| size not stated | approx. PLN 19 – PLN 31 |
Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made
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