Late bloomers and their perfumed leaves

Unusual plants that stand out at this time of the year are the late flowering species of the genera Actaea, which are also known as Cimicifuga, and belong to the buttercup family Ranunculaceae.

The old name Cimicifuga refers to the peculiarly scented leaves of some species, which are used to drive away bugs.

They are particularly attractive, with their tall stalks of white branching bottle brush flowers, when grown among the autumn foliage of woody plants.

They generally like shady to semi-shady sites and thrive in a moist humus soil. The green seed heads are just as impressive as the flower.

We grow several different species in the botanic garden. A. simplex is found naturally from Russia to Japan. The flower stalk is 100-140cm, light green leaves are rather small with divided foliage. This is the last species to flower.

A. heracleifolia, commonly known as ash-leaved bugbane, is native to East Asia, particularly from the Russian Far East to Korea and Central China. The stems reach up to 150cm and stand strongly upright with small white flowers in late summer.

A. racemosa, commonly known as black cohosh or black bugbane, is from eastern North America. The roots and rhizomes are used in traditional medicine. It flowers a lot earlier than the other species. The beautiful, divided fresh green leaves make a pleasing clump, turning a pale yellow in autumn.

Discover these species in the geographic plant collections in the upper Dunedin Botanic Garden.

• Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden. For more details, contact David Askin.