My age is beginning to tell on me. I find myself more easily irritated by change. Just as I become comfortable, have a name firmly memorized that I can even recall at a later date, someone comes along and changes the nomenclature. I had finally remembered how to spell ci-mi-ci-fuga. Of course, that someone in their infinite wisdom had to change the species name to Actaea. Actaea may be easier to spell, but I had the rhythm down on cimicifuga and was not inclined to give it up. Mumble, mumble, rottenruckenshuch.
Actaea racemosa (Cimicifuga) is among our finest natives. Just as spring ephemerals are going to sleep for the season, there is a bit of a pause in woodland bloom. As if to signal the start of summer, bugbane or fairy candles, comes into bloom. The common name of bugbane comes from using dried and ground root mixed with sugar as bait and poison for flies in times before screens on windows or doors.
Fairy candles prefer an edge of the wood habitat. I find it grows best when located in as much light as you can provide without locating it in full sun for more than a couple of hours. The more consistent moisture level provided, the larger and nicer the plant in appearance. Compost dug into the soil before transplanting, along with a mulch of chopped leaves, helps to provide consistent moisture, cooler root run, and gentle nourishment.
Actaea racemosa is a large perennial that can reach eight feet when very well grown. In my garden racemosa reaches about four feet in foliage and the blooms add an additional two feet in overall height. Being large, it takes time to settle in after transplanting. I find three to four years is needed for full effect. A mature clump will be three feet in diameter.
Blooms are frothy candles of white, crowded on to branched spires. When one sees the white spires of bloom above the divided deep green foliage, the common name of fairy candles is easily understood. The blooms do, indeed, resemble white flames, perhaps being carried through the wood lighting the way of traveling bands of fairies. Being located at the edge of the wood the blooms do seem to glow at dusk. The candles are scented, but not something you would find pleasant; however, do not let that put you off using the plant. You will not pick up the scent unless you are nose to bloom.
Ferns are favorite foliage companions. Hydrangea arborescens ssp. discolor is my choice of shrubs for it begins bloom at the same time, continuing in bloom long after the Actaea has completed its show. Ginger, Asarum canadense or arifolium, are great groundcovers for a large perennial such as Actaea racemosa to rise from. A favorite non-native companion is captured Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra), be it species or any named cultivar.