Actaea pachypoda

Common Names

Doll's Eyes, White Baneberry, Baneberry, White Beads, Necklace Weed

Summary

White baneberry, Actaea pachypoda, commonly known as Doll’s Eyes, is a woodland perennial native to eastern North America. It forms upright clumps from a rhizome and grows about 12–30 inches tall, with finely dissected foliage and spikes of small white flowers in late spring, followed by white berries on red pedicels with a dark central dot that resembles doll’s eyes. For cultivation, it prefers shade to part shade and moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil; it is hardy in USDA zones 3–8. Propagation is by seed sown in autumn or by division in spring, with germination often taking two years; after fruiting, stems can be cut back. All parts are poisonous to humans, especially berries and roots, so handling precautions are advised. It is valued for woodland and shade garden settings, and birds disperse the seeds.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

24-36 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade; tolerates full shade and partial sun.

Soil Type

Humus-rich, moist, well-drained loamy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil that retains moisture.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring (May–June)

Foliage Color

Bluish-green, Bright green, Dull green, Green, Medium to light green, Yellow

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow growth; takes 2–5 years to reach maturity.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, Birds, Flies, Beetles