Actea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) 'James Compton'
Height x Spread: 90cm x 60cm
This slightly more compact cultivar of Actaea, produces tall spikes of sweetly-scented, cream flowers, which stand above the deep purple foliage in autumn. Its faded flower stems remain upright providing interest into early winter - they look beautiful when covered in frost.
Perhaps the sweetest scented of all the Actaea at the nursery, it is great for adding fine texture and late season colour to the middle of the border. Bees love it too. It thrives in a good soil that is moisture retentive. Best grown in dappled shade to help maintain its deep, dark colour but tolerant of a slightly sunnier position than the green leaved forms, morning or late afternoon sun will be fine but avoid very hot areas of the garden.