Actaea rubra - red baneberry
DESCRIPTION
red baneberry
Actaea rubra
In June, lightly scented, delicate white flowers are held above deep green, deeply divided foliage. Flowers give way to big clusters of bright red berries in late summer that are attractive to mammals and many native songbirds. This dense but bushy plant is perfect grouped as a groundcover.
Benefits
- Plant is shade tolerant with attractive foliage
- Showy June flowers
- Red berries are very showy in late summer and fall
- Easy to grow and long-lived
- Berries prized by native songbirds and critters
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Actaea rubra is found throughout the northern US in moist shady areas, often in deciduous forests but also in mixed coniferous forests, open pine or spruce woodlands, swales, stream banks and swamps.
Native range derived from The Biota of North America
INTERESTING FACTS
Birds that are attracted to Actaea fruit include Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, American Robin, Gray Cheeked Thrush, Brown Thrasher, Gray Catbird, and Grouse.
All parts of Actaea rubra are poisonous, but the taste of the berries and leaves is extremely bitter so a toxic dose is unlikely.
GROWING TIPS
Grow Actaea rubra in part or full shade and moist, rich soils. It will be happy in the shade of conifers or deciduous trees, but will have more flowers if morning or afternoon sun is available. Baneberry benefits from allowing leaf litter to remain at the base or mulching with composted leaves. A late fall cut back is not necessary for the plant, but will tidy up the garden for winter.
Mature Size: 12-30" Tall x 12-18" Wide
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
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American Beauties Offer Solution Based Plant Collections to Help you Choose
Quick Tips for Choosing Plants:
- Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines increases biodiversity and gives wildlife a source for food, cover and nesting
- Choose a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees so birds and other wildlife will always be able to find shelter
- Plant trees and large shrubs where they will block winter winds from the house and shade it in summer, that will save energy and lower your carbon footprint
- Try your best to buy plants that were grown locally, your independent garden center will be your best bet
- Think about ultimate height and width of the plant you choose, make sure it will fit the space you have for it when it's reached maturity
- Plant nectar plants in groups, to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects more easily
- Ask for help if you need it. Most garden centers either have a landscape designer on staff or they can give you a reference of a designer that is adept at native plant wildlife gardening. There will be upfront costs but they are small when compared to having to redo a landscape that wasn't what you really wanted
Our Plant Tags Hold the Secrets to Success
Choosing the right plants for your garden can seem like a daunting task but we’re here to help. Our horticulturists have spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing our beautiful, American Beauties plant tags to help you be successful. First of all, when you see an American Beauties branded pot at your garden center you can be confident that the plant is native to your area and a responsible choice.
When you look at our tag you’ll find information about the plants natural habitat. That will give you a clue to how it will work in your backyard. For instance if the plant is naturally founded and moist, shade and you have full sun, it’s not the plant for you. The “Features” section gives you an overview or plant description so you’ll know what to expect. While the “Benefits” section talks about the plants strong suits and how the plant will benefit wildlife.
A Special Note About Exposure
Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day
Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine
Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day. Having said that even shade loving plants will struggle in extremely deep shade.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
Best Plants for Bees - Double sided printout for download
Best Plants for Butterflies - Double sided printout for download