Cimicifuga Simplex 'Atropurpurea'

Purple Bugbane

(Purple-leaf Japanese Black Cohosh)
A refined shade perennial valued for its dark purple to near-black foliage and graceful, airy spikes of fragrant white flowers that appear in late summer to early fall. Compared to C. ramosa types, simplex selections are often a bit lighter and more elegant in habit, adding movement and vertical interest to woodland gardens.

Size:



Width: 18–30 in



Height: 3–5 ft (in bloom)



Zones: 4a–8b

Light: Partial shade to full shade
(Morning sun with afternoon shade brings out the best foliage color.)

Soil: Moist, rich, well-drained soils; prefers humus-rich conditions and consistent moisture

Features:



Flowers: Slender, bottlebrush-like white flower spikes; lightly fragrant



Foliage: Deep purple to bronze-black, finely divided leaves



Form: Upright, clump-forming perennial with an airy, architectural presence



Excellent late-season bloom for shaded landscapes



Attracts:
Pollinators, especially bees

Uses:
Woodland gardens, shade borders, mixed perennial beds, background plantings, contrast with hosta, ferns, and heuchera

Notes:



Slow to establish but long-lived and dependable once settled



Avoid drought; mulch to keep roots cool and evenly moist



Commonly listed today as Actaea simplex ‘Atropurpurea’ (syn. Cimicifuga)

Plant type

Perennial

Height

3-5'

Width

18-30"

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Part shade to full shade

Growth rate

Slow

Bloom time

Fall, Late Summer

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Fruit color

Brown

Attracts

Bees

Soil

Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Specimen

Shape

Clump, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No