Cimicifuga (Ranunculaceae)
Black cohosh is a group of about 16-18 different species with worldwide distribution. A hardy and reliable plant with a beautiful architectural form. Tall spires of sweet smelling, white bottle brush shaped inflorescence rise in late summer from a mound of attractive cut leaves. The cultivars have foliage in shades of purple. Best grown in rich, moist soil and full sun to best bring out the purple color. The plants tend to lean in shady areas. The species have become hopelessly muddled because of crossing and the advent of ornamental cultivars. To my knowledge the racemosa and americana (maybe the same?) are the native North American species and are more green. The Asian species, which is often known as Ramosa, is actually c. simplex, and has given rise to most of the best late flowering, purple cultivars. C. foetida may be a European species, it blooms in the Summer and is known for its strong, slightly unpleasant smell of the flowers (fetid). The roots were traditionally used for various female ailments.
Black cohosh is a group of about 16-18 different species with worldwide distribution. A hardy and reliable plant with a beautiful architectural form. Tall spires of sweet smelling, white bottle brush shaped inflorescence rise in late summer from a mound of attractive cut leaves. The cultivars have foliage in shades of purple. Best grown in rich, moist soil and full sun to best bring out the purple color. The plants tend to lean in shady areas. The species have become hopelessly muddled because of crossing and the advent of ornamental cultivars. To my knowledge the racemosa and americana (maybe the same?) are the native North American species and are more green. The Asian species, which is often known as Ramosa, is actually c. simplex, and has given rise to most of the best late flowering, purple cultivars. C. foetida may be a European species, it blooms in the Summer and is known for its strong, slightly unpleasant smell of the flowers (fetid). The roots were traditionally used for various female ailments.
Black cohosh is a group of about 16-18 different species with worldwide distribution. A hardy and reliable plant with a beautiful architectural form. Tall spires of sweet smelling, white bottle brush shaped inflorescence rise in late summer from a mound of attractive cut leaves. The cultivars have foliage in shades of purple. Best grown in rich, moist soil and full sun to best bring out the purple color. The plants tend to lean in shady areas. The species have become hopelessly muddled because of crossing and the advent of ornamental cultivars. To my knowledge the racemosa and americana (maybe the same?) are the native North American species and are more green. The Asian species, which is often known as Ramosa, is actually c. simplex, and has given rise to most of the best late flowering, purple cultivars. C. foetida may be a European species, it blooms in the Summer and is known for its strong, slightly unpleasant smell of the flowers (fetid). The roots were traditionally used for various female ailments.
In our garden we have a species of cimicifuga that flowers mid-summer and has that fairly unpleasant odor, C. foetidus It spreads aggressively with thick roots that go out in all directions. This may be the species that gave rise to the common name snakeroot. I am still sorting out this species, let me know if you have any current information. Of the dark foliaged species v. ‘George Compton’ is one of the best for color and a more compact form. We usually have this variety in limited quantities.