Graceful stems (up to 7′ tall!) hold spires of fragrant, tiny white flowers in early summer over mounds of green leaves that resemble astilbe or ferns. Very showy plant for any shade garden. Also called Black Cohosh or Snakeroot. Pollinated by a variety of insects including bees and flies.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Black Cohosh
Actaea racemosa
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest:
Main Color: White
Fall Color: Green
USDA PLANTS Range Map
At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data
Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure
Shade
Soil
Moisture
Moderate
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Animal
Resistance
Rabbit Resistant
Size
Height:
5 to
7
feet
Spread:
2 to
3
feet
Size
Height: 5 to
7
feet
Spread: 2 to
3
feet
Size
Height: 5 to
7
feet
Spread: 2 to
3
feet
Typical Landscape Use
A great conversation plant as its stature will not allow it to go unnoticed!
Establishment and Care Instructions
Prefers shade to partial shade, moderate, well drained soil.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fragrant, Fresh Cut Flower
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
What’s the Next Step?
Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.