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| I wanted to plant some Cimicifuga in my backyard because it's shaded, but it's near the porch and I have heard that it may smell. I have asked this question on this forum before, but the answers were inconclusive. Some people thought it was great, some people said it smell like cat pee. I tried to look at a few plants, but they were not in bloom and no one at the nursery had experience with the plant.
I did some research and I notice that there are actually a few native variety. According to the book The New England Wild Flower Society Guide to Growing and Propagating Wildflowers by William Cullina, there are the following good to zone 5: Cimicifuga Racemosa (black cohosh) - this appears to be the most common one found in the nursery. Supposedly bloom in the summer and has a sour sweet smell that the author described as like territorial male cats. Frankly, I don't lke the foliage, it's black which makes it blend too much into the shade. Cimicifuga Americana (American Bugbane) - similar to Racemosa but with finer leaves and blooms in fall instead of summer. Supposedly lacks the pungent smell of the Racemosa. The author indicate that many stores mislabel this as "Racemosa", which may explain why a lot of people have different opinion about the smell/ Cimicifuga Rubifolia (appalachian bugbane) - more compact than the other two and sweet smelling. Supposedly grow on limestones, which means it likes alkaline soil. Supposedly sweet smelling flowers and hard to find. I am edging toward Rubifolia if I can find it. Anyone have experience with Rubifolia and the American Bugbane? Paul |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| How old it the book? If I remember correctly, Cimicifugas underwent a major reclassification recently, apart from being classified as Actea . As far as I know, only Cimicifuga foetida is ill-smelling(as the name suggests: fetid bugbane). All the rest smell more or less of honey(a really , really far cry from cat pee). Try to check if the book has the erratum, it seems like the author may have done a major confusion. |
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| The book is older, but the classification doesn't change the characteristics. So now: Cimicifuga Racemosa = Actaea racemosa On the Actaea Racemosa, it mentioned that the flower have a sweet, fetid smell. On the other hand, there is a cultivar of Actaea Racemosa call Black Negligee which supposely have a tropical fruit smell. Unfortuantely, it's often listed as Cimicifuga Racemosa Black Negligee or Cimicifuga Simplex Bllack Negligee. I am unclear on if there is a difference between simplex and racemosa. Paul |
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| I may be wrong , but I remember all the black leaved ones were previously classified as RAMOSA, now I often see them classified as simplex. |
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| Cimicifuga racemosa stinks, but is very ornamental. I doubt the smell would drive anyone from the porch. |
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| Of those native species I only have experience with Actaea racemosa. The smell is not overwhelming, but mine is out in the back garden so it might be stronger if you're around it a lot (i.e. the patio). It has a musky-sweet smell and I like it. But it's not sweet smelling like Lilacs or Peonies. William Cullina's Wildflower book is one of my favorite plant books. I was amused by his description about the territorial cats, but I've had male cats and it doesn't smell that way to me. |
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- Posted by buyorsell888 Zone 8 Portland OR (My Page) on Mon, Jun 4, 12 at 2:43
| I have 'Black Negligee' and I think it smells like grape soda pop. A good smell. |
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| The four on my team who work as gardeners will stop in our tracks to smell Actaea racemosa in bloom. We all love it, and have never heard of anyone not thinking the fragrance is divine. Not saying that everyone likes it, but to us it smells sweet and lovely. |
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- Posted by arbo_retum z5 ,WinchstrMA (My Page) on Wed, Jun 6, 12 at 1:21
| i grow 3 diff cimicifuga and have never had any bad smells from them in 25 yrs. best, mindy |
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| I grow "Brunette," I love the scent - it's what they call "white floral" in the perfume industry - and I wouldn't call it overwhelmingly strong. |
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