Species white baneberry
Maple green leaves with tiny green stems and a cluster of white fruit.

white baneberry

Actaea pachypoda

Also Known As - doll's eyes,White Baneberry,Doll's Eyes,White Cohosh
White Baneberry is an amazing plant species for many reasons. It's a perennial herbaceous flowering plant found in dense woods in North America, making it a beautiful part of any woodland garden. Its foliage is composed of divided leaflets under bright green star-shaped flowers, and its white fruits, which hang like miniature Chinese lanterns, are one of nature's most striking displays. The sight of pollinators gathered around the white fruits is a scene of beauty. White Baneberry's white compound clusters of flowers in summer, feathery foliage in shades of green, and unique bunches of creamy-white fruits make it a showstopper and integral part of any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

White Flowers

Sun:

part sun/part shade

Soil:

Humus rich, Well-drained

Fruits:

Fruits In Summer Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,white

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Water white baneberry plants on a regular basis, aiming to keep the soil evenly moist. The best time to water is in the morning, when the foliage has had a chance to dry since the previous evening. Depending on your climate, you may need to water the plants every few days in the summer and every 1-2 weeks in the winter.

sunlight

The white baneberry plant needs direct sunlight for at least 6 hours each day for optimal growth and to maintain good health. Without enough sunlight, the plant will start to become unhealthy and droopy. The white baneberry prefers a spot that is partially shaded from the direct sunlight. The best sunlight exposure is one that will provide the plant with direct sunlight in the early mornings and late afternoons, while being more sheltered from the intense midday sun.

pruning

Regular pruning helps maintain a neat, tidy growth habit and encourages new stems and foliage. White baneberry should be pruned annually, in early spring, to remove dead or diseased wood and to control its size. When pruning white baneberry, the stems should be cut just above a bud. This will encourage new growth and help maintain a manageable size. Pruning late in the season can encourage new growth that will be killed by cold temperatures. Before pruning, it’s important to take a good look at the plant to identify potential problem areas and potential hazards. White baneberry branches can snap easily if handled too harshly, so be careful when handling the stems. Prune away any dead or diseased wood, as well as any crossing branches that are competing for light and space. This will help keep the plant healthy and encourage strong new growth.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

White baneberry typically starts flowering in May.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Actaea pachypoda (white baneberry) typically begins in late June and continues through August.

Hardiness Map