Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton' (Baneberry 'James Compton')
1 hour care
per year
per year
2m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'
Other names
Baneberry 'James Compton', Bugbane 'James Compton', Cimicifuga simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton', Cohosh 'James Compton', Actaea simplex 'James Compton'
Genus
Actaea Actaea
Variety or Cultivar
'James Compton' _ 'James Compton' is a tall, clump-forming, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial with pinnate, reddish-purple leaves and erect to arching, reddish-purple stems bearing narrow racemes of pink buds opening to white flowers in early autumn.
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton' is: Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Bushy, Clump-forming, Erect, Spreading
Toxicity
All parts are harmful if ingested.
Flower
White in Autumn
Foliage
Reddish-purple in Spring; Reddish-purple in Summer; Reddish-purple in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering.
Propagation
Sow seeds in pots in a cold frame in autumn.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton' (Baneberry 'James Compton') will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Wildflower, Flower Arranging
Cultivation
Plant in cool, moist, moderately fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Water regularly and deeply in dry weather.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'
Other names
Baneberry 'James Compton', Bugbane 'James Compton', Cimicifuga simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton', Cohosh 'James Compton', Actaea simplex 'James Compton'
Genus
Actaea Actaea
Variety or Cultivar
'James Compton' _ 'James Compton' is a tall, clump-forming, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial with pinnate, reddish-purple leaves and erect to arching, reddish-purple stems bearing narrow racemes of pink buds opening to white flowers in early autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Arching, Bushy, Clump-forming, Erect, Spreading
Toxicity
All parts are harmful if ingested.
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White in Autumn
Foliage
Reddish-purple in Spring; Reddish-purple in Summer; Reddish-purple in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering.
Propagation
Sow seeds in pots in a cold frame in autumn.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton' (Baneberry 'James Compton') will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Wildflower, Flower Arranging
Cultivation
Plant in cool, moist, moderately fertile soil enriched with organic matter. Water regularly and deeply in dry weather.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Piet Oudolf is a world-famous garden designer, nurseryman and writer. In 2013, he singled out the 100 plants he won't do without and we have them all listed for you here in Shoot. read more
Champagne Laurent-Perrier is delighted to be returning to the 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, under the artistic direction of award-winning designer Dan Pearson. read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login