Re: Cimicifuga ramosa atropurpurea

I finally found Brunette last year, but having read all the posts am thinking mine might be in just too much sun and not moist enough.  It did bloom in Sept. I believe.  It was a small plant when I purchased it and only got to be about 3 ft. I believe.

Anyone know how I should fertilize it?  Just compost?  If I do decide to move it, would spring be the best time?

Penny in Halifax, N.S.

>>> genebush@OTHERSIDE.COM 02/19/00 09:21AM >>>
Hello Paul & Marge,
    Whoops! Missed the article. Care to give the address so we who lag behind can
read the article? Always interested in Cimicifuga... bugbane, fairy candles.
    The C. r. atropurpurea I have here was from seed. Paul is right, it does vary
a bit. I find that it looses most, but not all, of the dark coloration in the
foliage just before bloom. The stems do retain the dark color and the plant
remains a good accent for the shady garden, the late season blooms are good with
Aconitum.
    I ordered 'Brunette' from a wholesaler last fall and I was told they were from
tissue culture. Price was pretty steep for wholesale and when they arrived, much
smaller than I had hoped. While they are in the catalog I am holding until next
fall and growing them on before shipping. 'Black Hills' was available, but I had
to take too many in volume and the price wholesale would take your breath away.
That one will have to wait a bit.
    C. 'White Pearl' is a short, wonderfully scented, sweetie and easy to grow. It
does prefer a moist site during bloom for best performance. Paul, mine blooms in
early September.
    There are many species to try and I am after all I can find. Many of the best
ones seem to show up in European or Dutch catalogs. I have my list and I keep on
trying to obtain them . Seeds to maturity is a long time, so prefer obtaining bare
root when I can.
    Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com 
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Henjum <Meum71@AOL.COM>
Subject: [SG] Cimicifuga ramosa atropurpurea


> Marge I just finished ready your last article, another great one!!
>
> I saw that you have a Cimicifuga that is giving you problems in
> identification (I have the same problem with a number of plants my self-
> almost pull my hair out)
>
> Cimicifuga ramosa atropurpurea plus many others forms and species are seed
> raised thus variable.  A good selection of seed will produce 90 percent
> red-black foliage with a mix of others.
>
> By looking at your plant I would say it's one of the "other" types.
> Last year I acquired a nice form with large leaves and a good dark color-not
> black but still very appealing-what I like about the plant is it's height-it
> grows over 6 to 7 feet tall and it's not easy finding good height in the
> shade garden.
>
> The black forms of Cimicifuga are fantastic 'Black Hills' is a great form
> that only grows around 3 feet tall for me-but now that I have it moved to a
> moister area I am hoping for more size.
> This year I hope to get a good number of 'Brunette' which has a nice
> darkish-purple color.
>
> There are a few other selections around too That are on my want list for this
> year or next.
>
> I most likely did not solve your "problem" and like me, you will still try to
> track down a more specific answer.  But I have not meet a Cimicifuga I did
> not like or love. Even the form of Cimicifuga simplex 'The pearl' I have that
> blooms just as we get our first snow storm each year.
>
> Paul
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