Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

Description

Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is a showy herbaceous wildflower attractive to pollinators, hummingbirds, and songbirds. Also known as Fairy Candles, its flower stalks have a whimsical quality. This plant is highly resistant to pressure from deer. It is a host plant to butterflies such as the Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), and Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor)..

 

Light: Full Shade, Part Sun

Moisture: Moist

Soil Type: Loamy, Well-Draining

Soil pH: <8.0

Average Height: 3-7 Feet

Flowers: White/cream flowers in tall wand-like spikes

Bloom Time: May-August

Wildlife: Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus), and Appalachian Azure (Celastrina neglectamajor) butterflies/larvae

Additional Notes: Appalachian Azure’s flights occur only in the Appalachians, once a year May to June.