Black Cohosh

Actaea racemosa

Black Cohosh is a perennial for focal point, suited to shade and partial shade and clay or loam, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug.

Where to use it in a border

At around 150 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 90 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 8a, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil.

Border Builder uses Black Cohosh's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Flowering through the year

Worth knowing

• It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
• Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

• Bugleto edge in front
• Cinnamon Fernto flower when it does not
• Creeping Phloxto edge in front
• Creeping Phlox 'Sherwood Purple'to edge in front
• Florida Leucothoefor height behind it
• Fringed Bleeding Heartto edge in front

Garden styles

Native Shade cottage Wildlife garden Woodland