Actaea rubra - red baneberry

[Chris_W]

I don't know if I mentioned this before or not, but a few summers ago we discovered a wild growing, volunteer, red baneberry (Actaea rubra) growing here in our pines, which was pretty exciting for me as I had always wanted this plant and never found it Strange thing about it is that we haven't been able to find any more than this one plant So I got wondering what the best way is to propagate it, and last summer as the berries were starting to open I took the seeds and tucked them around the main plant, just a little below the soil. Well, they sprouted by fall, at least 7 or 8 of them! I'm so excited to think that we might be able to propagate a little colony of these and offer them one day

Here is a picture of red baneberry:

(photo by walter siegmund)

[pauhaus]

Chris, that is so great you found one so close to home and you didn't even have to pay shipping . Sounds like you're on your way to successfully propagating them too, very cool. Good luck with them. I think the berries really add a great touch of color. Is the plant identical to white baneberry except for the berries?

[Chris_W]

Yup, pretty much the same plant, just red berries instead of white. We are selling a white one called Misty Blue this year that not only has white berries but also blue-green foliage that is really pretty: http://www.perennialnursery.com/actaea-misty-blue.html Maybe you saw them here last summer?

Yes, it was cool to just find this plant. I've never seen it sold by wholesalers so we've never grown it before. There are some other wildflowers here that I've never seen before too, and it seems like we keep finding more, even after 8 years!

[pauhaus]

That's awesome. I didn't notice the 'Misty Blue' plant you mentioned, I'm always blinded by hosta when I visit so I'll look hard for it next time. Looks like a very pretty plant...hmmm

[viktoria]

The seeds take a year or more to germinate so I suspect the seedlings may have been from the previous year's seeds. I have grown this plant from seed and it took four years to get a sellable plant! Now I have it coming up here and there, farther and farther away from the original planting.

The colorful fruits are very persistent, lasting for months.

Viktoria

[Chris_W]

Thanks for the info on the seeds, Viktoria. I was very curious about how long they take, and couldn't find it in my propagation book (it wasn't even listed). They sure seem to like where they are at in this one spot, and the original plant went from 1 bloom stalk to 3 so it is happy too - looks like it will go untouched for a while

[gamekeeper]

My Misty Blue you sent is doing great

[Bob Scott]

Chris, I'm thinking cuttings could be a good way to multiply it.
I start cuttings on most of the plants I have because my kids are always wanting something from my yard.

[viktoria]

Seeds are easier! I have these coming up all over my garden now and those that are in the wrong place get potted up to sell.

Viktoria