Actaea simplex var. matsumurae White Pearl at Digging Dog Nursery |

Actaea simplex var. matsumurae
‘White Pearl’
at Digging Dog

Black Snakeroot

A botanical ‘Renaissance Man’, Actaea is at home in an informal garden, a refined border or in an arrangement for opening night at the Met. Their sweet fragrance floats through the air as they illuminate their surroundings. Actaea is happiest in moist, humus-enriched soil and bright shade; otherwise it’s carefree and low maintenance.

This genus was formerly known as “Cimicifuga”

Actaea simplex var. matsumurae ‘White Pearl’

Surprisingly underused, ‘White Pearl’s bright white, bottlebrushlike blossoms and large pearly buds will light up a somber setting just like the animated glow of a 4th of July sparkler. The good-sized ambrosial flowers unfurl later than most other Actaeas, while their densely set stalks are more arching than racemosa’s.

Tolerating drier, less rich soils, deceptively tough wiry stems and finely cut, toothed foliage compose the medium green nimble-looking stand which slowly spreads.

Blooms September–October.