Species Red Baneberry
bright-red fruits with lime leaves and stems

Red Baneberry

Actaea rubra subsp. rubra

The Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra subsp. rubra) is native to the moist woodlands of North America. It is a perennial shrub which grows up to 30-50 cm (12-20 inches) in height. The flowers are small white and fragrant. The fruits of these plants form a round, bright red berry which resembles a small cherry. The berry has a single black seed in it. This species blooms from late spring until early summer and produces bright red berries in early summer. It is part of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and is a popular choice for wildlife gardens. The Red Baneberry is a hardy and tolerant shrub and provides a good source of food for birds and other wildlife.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

part shade,full shade

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Red Baneberry should be watered regularly to keep its soil lightly moist, but not soggy. During the growing season (spring and summer), the soil should be watered whenever it starts to dry out. This usually occurs every 7-10 days. In the winter the soil should remain only slightly moist, so water only when it begins to dry out. During colder winter months, water less often as the plant will be semi-dormant.

sunlight

Red Baneberry plants thrive in full sun to partial shade, with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day being optimal for growth. They prefer acidic soils with good drainage, but make adaptions to a wide range of soil types as long as the pH is kept above 5.0. Red Baneberry plants should be watered deeply and consistently throughout the growing season, but should not be allowed to sit in excessively wet soil. The plants will benefit from a monthly application of a balanced fertilizer during their peak growing season.

pruning

Red Baneberry should be pruned in early spring, before new growth emerges. The best time for pruning them is when they are still dormant. When pruning, it is important to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as well as any suckers or crossed branches. If you want to keep them at a certain size, you may need to do some shaping to maintain the desired size and form. It is also important to remove all of the fruit clusters to avoid having to deal with the mess in the fall. Prune only as much as necessary to keep the plant healthy and looking good. It is generally better to take off smaller amounts of growth at a time. In general, Red Baneberry should be lightly pruned each year to remove dead, damaged, or diseased wood, ensure the health of the plant, and maintain its size and shape.

Season

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

The harvesting season for Actaea rubra subsp. rubra (Red Baneberry) typically begins in late June and continues through August.