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Cimicifuga (Bugbane)

© Jojo Sigurgeirson

Bugbane, with it's ferny filagreed foliage, black wirey stems and fluffy white vanilla-scented flowers is a new favourite in the perennial garden. It is big but not bold. Noble, but not overbearing in pomposity. A member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), it can grow up to eight feet tall when in flower in summer and fall. In mild, coastal areas, this plant tends to delay flowering to as late as August or September. Dainty-looking above, the roots and rhizomes are thick, knotty and very dark, perfectly suited to those who love to divide plants, spreading them around the garden or giving them away to friends.

Where's it from?
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is the most common, and the source of all the currently available hybrids. It is only one of 15 species of Cimicifuga found worldwide. Black Cohosh is native to the eastern woodlands of North America and ranges from southern Canada south to Georgia, across to Arkansas and up to Wisconsin. It's more abundant in its southern range.

The hybrid pictured above is called 'Brunette'. This perennial has become very popular and has popularized this fairly under-appreciated plant. There are many gardeners who are a sucker for this kind of foliage, and rightly so! This particular hybrid is incredibly attractive when combined in many colour schemes. The hybrid 'Atropurpurea' is also very nice. The leaves are not as dark. The colouration of this one is mainly focussed on the stems and leaf-axils. On hearing of this you may ask yourself 'what is the point?'. Upon seeing it, you will soon realize that it is the finer details and intricacies of this genus which make it so attractive.

Herbal use
Many people become interested in gardening through herbs and medicinal uses. Black Cohosh is a very expensive herb to buy, but can be very useful in the home medicine chest. It could become one of the top 10 selling herbs in the near future. At present, there is no large-scale cultivation of Black Cohosh; nearly 100% of the supply comes from wildcrafted sources. Without cultivation, this herb will soon be wildcrafted to the point that it can no longer meet the needs of the industry. What is it used for? This is what is known as a women's herb, hence the alternative name, Squaw Root. A tea of the roots and rhizomes can aid in PMS, in Menopause, and in menstrual cramping. It should not be used by women trying to beef up their uteruses or by those who are, or may be, pregnant. It is very bitter.

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