A venerable heavyweight in the ornamental woodland plant world, Black Cohosh is a rhizomatous perennial native to rocky mesic woodlands of the Eastern U.S. Large lacy foliage holds its ground until giving rise to white, bottlebrush-like flower spikes in early summer, sometimes towering up to 8 feet tall! The tip of the inflorescence always seems to dip and twist to the side, as if waving hello.
Conditions: Part shade to full shade; medium moisture; average to fertile soils
Size: 4’-5’ tall, 2’-3’ wide
Zone: 3 - 8
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract bumble bees, small carpenter bees, and tumbling flower beetles; larval host for Spring Azure and Appalachian Azure butterflies
Photos: David Korbonits, Samantha Nestory