Baneberry White Actaea Pachypoda Alba is a long living perennial plant native to rocky, shady slopes and mixed forests of Eastern North America. Baneberry White seeds can be sown in fall or winter. Also called Doll's Eyes, Actaea Pachypoda Alba features bushy attractive foliage with 2-3 deeply lobed and coarsely toothed leaflets with hairy veins on the underside that usually remains attractive through most of the growing season. The lower leaf surface is slightly paler in color than the upper surface. White Baneberry blooms for about 3 weeks in late spring or early summer, and its tiny white flowers form oblong terminal clusters atop long greenish stems rising above the foliage. The slightly fragrant flowers are attractive to some insects such as flies, bees and beetles. Flowering stems thicken and turn red after bloom, and if successfully pollinated, waxy, shiny, ellipsoid, pea-sized white berries with a distinctive small dark purplish spot develop in summer in elongated clusters and persist on the plant until frost.
Baneberry White is praised for its charming white berries and foliage reminiscent of astilbe, and its bushy appearance make Baneberry a sought-after plant primarily grown in woodland and shade gardens. Doll's Eyes plant can be also grown as a tall groundcover when planted in groups. If not planted directly outdoors in late fall, it is recommended to cold stratify Actaea Pachypoda Alba seeds prior sowing, and once established White Baneberry thrives in moist, fertile soil with lots of organic matter in partial to full shade.
WARNING: The entire plant is toxic if eaten and berries are extremely poisonous if ingested, so it has to be handled with care. Wear gloves, and clean tools after handling the plants.
PLANT PROFILE
Season: Perennial
Height: 18-30 Inches
Bloom Season: Spring/Summer
Environment: Shade/Partial Shade
Soil Type: Rich/Moist well-drained, pH 5.6-6.5
USDA Zones: 3-8
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow Indoors: Winter (6-8 weeks before last frost)
Sow Outdoors: Fall
Seed Depth: 1/8 Inch
Germination Time: Varies
