Actaea ‘Hillside Black Beauty’

Actaea ‘Hillside Black Beauty’
(Actaea simplex ‘Hillside Black Beauty’)

Introduce bold color and elegant texture to your garden with Actaea ‘Hillside Black Beauty’, a striking perennial prized for its dramatic dark foliage and fragrant late-season blooms. This cultivar features deep purple-black, finely divided leaves that provide a stunning contrast in borders and shaded areas. In late summer to early fall, tall spikes of soft, creamy-white flowers emerge, releasing a sweet, enticing fragrance that attracts pollinators and adds multi-season interest.

Key Features:

• Dramatic Dark Foliage: Deep purple-black, lacy leaves offer bold texture and striking contrast.

• Fragrant Blooms: Creamy-white, bottlebrush flowers appear in late summer to early fall, adding height and scent.

• Attracts Pollinators: Bees and butterflies flock to the nectar-rich blooms.

• Tall, Graceful Habit: Reaches 4–6 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide, ideal for back borders or woodland gardens.

• Shade-Loving: Thrives in part to full shade, perfect for shaded beds or under tree canopies.

• Deer Resistant: Less appealing to browsing wildlife.

Care Tips:

• Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil in part to full shade.

• Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to maintain soil moisture.

• Mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool.

• Cut back spent flower stems and tidy foliage in late fall or early spring.

Whether used to add depth to a shady border, as a dramatic focal point, or to provide late-season blooms, Actaea ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ offers a unique combination of color, texture, and fragrance that elevates any garden space.