{"product_id":"chocoholic-bugbane","title":"Chocoholic Bugbane","description":"\u003ch1\u003eChocolate Foliage and Fragrant Fall Spires for the Shade\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChocoholic Bugbane (\u003cem\u003eActaea simplex\u003c\/em\u003e 'Chocoholic') is a dramatic shade perennial grown for its rich chocolate-brown, deeply cut foliage and tall, fragrant bottlebrush spires of pink-white flowers that open in late summer and fall — a rare time for shade bloom. The sweet scent draws late-season pollinators, and the dark foliage is a season-long focal point. Deer-resistant and reliably hardy, it brings height and drama to shaded borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eChocoholic 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 'Chocoholic' (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\u003e3–4 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 pink-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, chocolate-brown\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\u003eShade focal point:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its dark foliage and tall fall spires make a striking accent in 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 astilbe.\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 — bugbane resents drying out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Chocoholic 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 Chocoholic 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: Why is it called bugbane?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe fragrant flowers were traditionally thought to repel insects. Today it's grown for its dark foliage and sweet-scented fall spires.\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 — it's a moist-shade plant. Give it rich, consistently moist soil out of hot afternoon sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Negligee Bugbane (Actaea simplex):\u003c\/strong\u003e A near-black-leaved sister with white fall spires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHosta:\u003c\/strong\u003e A bold-leaved shade companion for contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAstilbe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plumed flowers for layered shade color.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54315441750321,"sku":null,"price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/chocoholic-bugbane.jpg?v=1779747469","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/chocoholic-bugbane","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}