Actaea

These herbaceous perennials provide spring and late summer interest, as now Cimicifuga, are for the moment included in this genus. Actaea to provide spring flowers and fleshy fruits, some with excellent foliage. Both prefer a shadier setting, but will take more sunshine on a soils which retains more moisture. However the later flowering species, especially Actaea simplex, can have their leaves scorched in full sun, so at least part shade will allow you to appreciate the foliage, some of which is a deep, dusky purple and spikes of scented flowers, at their best.