Actaea pachypoda Misty Blue

Actaea pachypoda 'Misty Blue' is a perennial of the undergrowth that offers us, from the month of May, pretty clusters of white star-shaped flowers above a truly astonishing foliage. The compound leaves, divided into ovate dentate or incised leaflets, turn a powdery blue in spring and then become bluish-green. The small inconspicuous flower clusters give way in late summer to white berries with large red pedicels. These small fruits that brighten up shady areas are toxic to humans but are a delight for many birds; it is undoubtedly because of its toxicity that it is also called Snake's Bread.

Native to eastern North America, Actaea pachypoda 'Misty Blue' is highly robust, hardy, and enjoys shaded situations, in the undergrowth in a cool to dry soil, rich in humus provided by the decomposition of dead leaves. This Actaea with large pedicels gradually forms beautiful dense clumps. Their only drawback is that they grow slowly. It takes several years for them to reach a size worthy of interest, but then their longevity more than compensates for this handicap.

In a woodland setting, it goes wonderfully well with Polygonatum, Smilacina, and Epimedium as well as ferns or hostas.