Actea pachypoda – Doll’s Eyes; White Baneberry

General Information: The stunning fruits of White Baneberry resemble China Doll’s eyes. Often described as one of the weirdest plants in the world, this unassuming perennial produces attractive foliage – broad green leaves during spring, dense white flower clusters in early summer, and conspicuous white berries from late summer until the first frost. The clusters of peculiar white berries can add a natural element to Halloween decor; however, it is best not be planted where children may mistakenly sample one. The beady white berries, each containing a pupil-like black spot, form atop eerie red stalks. Intriguing for a shade garden, but gardeners should be wary of the plant’s chemistry as all parts of this plant are toxic to humans, especially the berries, which are known to cause heart failure if ingested. While people want to steer clear of consuming this plant, birds are surprisingly unaffected. The berries are a favorite among songbirds and often serve as an attractant to them.

Cultivation Details: White Baneberry grows well in a shady garden corner. Consider pairing with other shade-loving species such as Wild Ginger (Asarum spp), Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia spp), Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina), Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium nipponicum), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia), and other shade lovers! White Baneberry is perfect for perpetually shady sites, especially along north-facing walls and fences. Ideal for rewilding, as a living bird feeder, and for woodland gardens.

Growing Requirements: It prefers full to partial shade but does not tolerate full sun. It prefers rich, well-draining soil containing humus. For best results, apply a deep layer of organic matter such as leaf litter or Pine straw after planting. It prefers sandy and loamy soils but tolerates clay soils provided there is sufficient organic matter mixed in. It prefers acidic soils but tolerates neutral soils. It is not suitable for alkaline soils.