Actaea (Cimicifuga) simplex ‘Carbonella’

Actaea simplex, bugbane, Zones 3-7. This late-summer-to-fall blooming perennial has undergone a name change. Formerly known as cimicifuga, it is a great addition to the late autumn garden no matter what you call it. The deeply cut purple foliage is attractive and the pinkish white candle-like racemes glow in the border and have a commanding fragrance that few late blooming perennials do. A sweet, intoxicating scent lingers in the air when in full bloom. This species is said to tolerate dry shade well, but would prefer good humusy garden soil–moist, but well-drained–in part to full shade. My plants are sited in full afternoon sun and do incredibly well reaching a height of 3-4 feet it is paired with Eupatoria ‘Chocolate Boneset’ to offset Plox panicuata ‘Prime Minister’ which is soft white with a pink eye and seems to be mildew free.