Actaea simplex ‘Pink Spike’, also known by the synonyms Cimicifuga ramosa ‘Pink Spike’, Actaea ramosa ‘Pink Spike’ and Cimicifuga ‘Pink Spike’, is a striking perennial valued for its dark foliage and elegant late-season flowers. Its deeply divided purple-black leaves provide colour from spring onwards, while soft pink flower spikes rise above the foliage in early autumn.
Shorter than many other bugbanes, this compact variety reaches around 1.4 metres tall, making it easier to incorporate into mixed borders and woodland-style planting schemes. The lightly scented flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies, adding both beauty and wildlife value to your garden.
Key features
- Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
- Flowering period: September to October
- Flower colour: Pale pink
- Foliage colour: Dark purple-black
- Fragrance: Lightly scented flowers
- Height and spread: 140cm x 60cm
- Hardiness: Fully hardy
Where to grow Actaea simplex ‘Pink Spike’
- Ideal for partially shaded borders
- Excellent for woodland-style gardens
- Works well in mixed perennial planting schemes
- Creates contrast among green-leaved plants
- Prefers fertile, moisture-retentive soil
The dark foliage stands out beautifully against ferns, hostas and other shade-loving perennials. Plant it where the flowers can catch the late summer light for added impact.
Benefits for UK wildlife
- Flowers attract bees and butterflies
- Provides a valuable nectar source in late summer and autumn
- Supports pollinators when fewer plants are in flower
- Helps increase biodiversity in shaded garden areas
Late-flowering plants like this help extend the feeding season for pollinating insects.
Planting tips
- Plant in partial shade or dappled shade
- Choose fertile, humus-rich soil that retains moisture
- Incorporate organic matter before planting
- Water regularly during dry spells, especially when newly planted
- Apply a mulch each spring to conserve moisture and improve soil quality
This plant performs best in soil that remains consistently moist but drains freely.
Why choose Actaea simplex ‘Pink Spike’?
- Dark foliage provides season-long interest
- Soft pink flower spikes appear late in the year
- Compact compared to many other bugbane varieties
- Lightly scented blooms
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Suitable for shaded and woodland gardens
This elegant perennial delivers foliage colour, wildlife value and graceful flowers when many summer plants have finished blooming.
Other names: Cimicifuga ramosa ‘Pink Spike’, Actaea ramosa ‘Pink Spike’, Cimicifuga ‘Pink Spike’, bugbane ‘Pink Spike’, baneberry ‘Pink Spike’
Fully grown size: Height 140cm, spread 60cm
Light: Partial shade
Soil: Fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil
Position: Woodland gardens, shaded borders and mixed perennial beds
Special features: Dark foliage, scented flowers, pollinator friendly, late-season interest
Ideal for: Woodland gardens, cottage gardens, wildlife-friendly borders and shaded planting schemes
Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK
