Actaea pachypoda 'Misty Blue'
24th May 2018
A beautiful form of the species with blue-grey foliage and short spikes of white flowers.
Introduced by the Mt. Cuba Center for Plant Introductions in Hockessin, Delaware in 2009.Originally selected by Dr Richard Lighty.
Their description says:
"A Mt. Cuba Center Plant Introduction. Misty Blue white baneberry provides a long season of interest with its white bottlebrush-shaped inflorescences,
deeply cut compound leaves, and its clusters of white berries with brightly colored magenta pedicels in summer. This cultivar has the added benefit of
bluish foliage that holds it color all season long. Misty Blue thrives in slightly acidic, moist, highly organic soil in filtered to part shade but it
tolerates drier soils. Throughout the summer, this unusual native woodland plant adds interesting texture and character to the garden, particularly in
shady spots. Actaea pachypoda is an excellent complement to Actaea racemosa, Phegopteris hexagonoptera, Trillium erectum, Thalictrum thalictroides,
Lilium canadense, Caulophyllum thalictroides, and Carex plantaginea.
Misty Blue white baneberry was introduced by Mt. Cuba Center in 2009. This cultivar was slected for its unique and highly attractive soft,
bluish-green foliage. It was discovered in a planting of typical green-leaved plants of unknown origin growing at Mt. Cuba Center."
References:
Mt Cuba Center for Plant Introductions. https://mtcubacenter.org/research/plant-introductions/ . Accessed 18.12.2019