Actaea ‘Queen of Sheba’, also known by its synonym Cimicifuga ‘Queen of Sheba’, is a striking perennial grown for its dramatic dark foliage and elegant late-season flowers. Deep bronze to purple-black leaves form a bold clump at ground level, while tall, slender stems rise above, carrying pendulous white flower spikes with a sweet fragrance.
Flowering in late summer and early autumn, this variety adds height, structure and contrast to shaded borders when many other plants are beginning to fade. The flowers are followed by decorative black berries, extending seasonal interest well into autumn.
Key features
- Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
- Flowering period: August to October
- Flower colour: White
- Foliage colour: Bronze to purple-black
- Fragrance: Sweetly scented flowers
- Height and spread: 180cm x 75cm
- Hardiness: Fully hardy
Where to grow Actaea ‘Queen of Sheba’
- Ideal for partially shaded borders
- Suitable for woodland-style planting
- Works well as a focal point in mixed perennial borders
- Pairs beautifully with ferns, hostas and shade-loving perennials
- Prefers fertile, moisture-retentive soil
The dark foliage creates a strong contrast against lighter green plants and helps brighten shaded areas with its tall white flower spikes.
Benefits for UK wildlife
- Fragrant flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects
- Late-season blooms provide nectar when fewer plants are flowering
- Berries can provide interest for wildlife in autumn
- Helps support biodiversity in shaded garden areas
Including late-flowering plants in your garden helps extend the feeding season for pollinators.
Planting tips
- Plant in partial shade or dappled shade
- Choose fertile, humus-rich soil that retains moisture
- Water during prolonged dry periods, especially while establishing
- Apply organic matter annually to improve soil structure
- Leave seed heads and berries in place for seasonal interest
This plant performs best where the soil does not dry out completely during summer.
Why choose Actaea ‘Queen of Sheba’?
- Dark foliage provides colour from spring onwards
- Tall flower spikes add height and structure
- Sweet fragrance enhances late-season displays
- Flowers when many other perennials have finished
- Suitable for woodland and shaded gardens
- Decorative black berries add autumn interest
This elegant perennial brings foliage contrast, fragrance and late-season flowers to shaded parts of the garden.
Other names: Cimicifuga ‘Queen of Sheba’, bugbane ‘Queen of Sheba’, black cohosh ‘Queen of Sheba’
Fully grown size: Height 180cm, spread 75cm
Light: Partial shade
Soil: Fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil
Position: Woodland gardens, shaded borders and mixed perennial beds
Special features: Dark foliage, fragrant flowers, architectural form, late-season interest
Ideal for: Woodland gardens, cottage gardens, shaded borders and wildlife-friendly planting
Hardiness: Fully hardy in the UK
