{"product_id":"black-negligee-bugbane","title":"Black Negligee Bugbane","description":"\u003ch1\u003eNear-Black Foliage and Fragrant White Fall Spires\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Negligee Bugbane (\u003cem\u003eActaea simplex\u003c\/em\u003e 'Black Negligee') is one of the darkest-leaved perennials you can grow — deeply cut, near-black foliage rising 4 to 5 feet, topped in late summer and fall by sweetly fragrant, white bottlebrush spires. The dramatic dark leaves anchor the shade garden all season, and the late flowers feed pollinators when little else blooms. Deer-resistant and reliably hardy, it's a showstopper for moist, shaded borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlack Negligee Bugbane Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eActaea simplex 'Black Negligee' (syn. Cimicifuga)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade to full shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate summer into fall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFragrant white bottlebrush spires\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoist, rich, humusy; amend clay with compost — never let it dry out\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F once established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely browsed by deer or rabbits\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeeply cut, near-black\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLandscape Uses in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDramatic shade backdrop:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its near-black foliage and tall fall spires make a bold statement at the back of a shaded border. Space 2–3 feet apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLate-season pollinator and rain gardens:\u003c\/strong\u003e The fragrant fall flowers feed late bees and butterflies, and it loves the moist soil of rain gardens. Pair with hostas, ferns, and gold-foliage plants for striking contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) into rich, moist, shaded soil. Keep consistently moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Black Negligee Bugbane\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in plenty of compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Space 2–3 feet apart in a spot that stays moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Black Negligee Bugbane\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst year:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep the soil consistently moist — water every 1–3 days in dry weather. It will scorch and wilt if it dries out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAfter year one:\u003c\/strong\u003e Continue steady moisture, especially in any sun. It performs best in cool, rich, moist shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How dark is the foliage?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAmong the darkest of any perennial — a deep, near-black purple that holds all season and contrasts beautifully with greens and golds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEasily — hardy to zone 3, returning each spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is it deer-resistant?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — deer and rabbits rarely browse bugbane.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does it need shade and moisture?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — give it rich, consistently moist soil out of hot afternoon sun for the best color and growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChocoholic Bugbane (Actaea simplex):\u003c\/strong\u003e A chocolate-leaved sister with pink-white spires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGold Heart Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos):\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold foliage that pops against the dark leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHosta:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bold-leaved shade companion for contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54315441652017,"sku":null,"price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/black-negligee-bugbane.jpg?v=1779747465","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/black-negligee-bugbane","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}