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Actaea simplex 'Chocoholic'
Actaea simplex 'Chocoholic'

Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’

£8.95

(67 customer reviews)

An upright perennial with fragrant bottle brush flowers which are a rich mauve/pink colour when they open and lighten to white as they age.  With dark, bronze purple foliage it adds wonderful texture, colour and height in the garden from late Summer through to Autumn.  Height 1.5m.   Spread 60cm.  Prefers a moist, part shaded site.  Hardy.

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Description

Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ is a unique and striking perennial, known for its deeply colored, almost chocolate-hued foliage and elegant spires of pale pink, fragrant flowers in late summer. With this planting guide, you can ensure that Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ thrives in your garden and becomes a standout feature in your landscape.

PLANTING and AFTERCARE GUIDE
Best Planting Time
  • Spring: The best time to plant Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ is in early spring when the soil begins to warm. This timing helps establish strong roots ahead of the blooming season, encouraging robust growth.
  • Autumn: Alternatively, Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ can be planted in early autumn, allowing it to settle before dormancy. This approach can also lead to better flowering performance the following year.
Site Selection
  • Sunlight: Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ prefers partial shade, though it can tolerate full shade. This makes it an excellent choice for spots with indirect sunlight or filtered shade, which also helps maintain the rich color of its leaves.
  • Soil: Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ thrives in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. This plant benefits from consistently moist conditions, so choosing a site with good drainage and adequate organic matter is essential. Avoid areas prone to waterlogging, which can harm the roots.
Planting Instructions
  1. Prepare the Hole: When planting Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’, dig a hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball. This ensures ample room for root expansion.
  2. Soil Preparation: Enhance the planting area with compost or well-rotted organic matter to boost soil fertility and drainage, creating an ideal growing environment for Actaea.
  3. Planting: Position the plant in the prepared hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Gently backfill the hole, firming the soil to eliminate air pockets.
  4. Watering After Planting: Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil and establish the roots of Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’. Maintain good drainage to prevent root rot.
Watering Requirements
  • Growing Season: Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ requires consistent moisture during the growing season. Water regularly, especially in dry periods, to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Mulching can help retain moisture around the plant.
  • Dormant Season: During winter dormancy, reduce watering. Only water if the soil becomes excessively dry, as Actaea needs minimal moisture during this time.
Feeding
  • Spring: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring to support your Actaea as it begins to grow. This nutrient boost encourages healthy foliage and better flowering.
  • Mid-Summer: A light feeding in mid-summer can further support flower production, helping Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ maintain its beauty through the late summer bloom period.
Pruning
  • Deadheading: Remove spent flower stalks once blooming is complete. This tidies up Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ and can direct energy into root and foliage growth.
  • Autumn Pruning: After the foliage dies back in autumn, cut your Actaea down to ground level. This cleanup helps prepare it for winter and promotes healthy growth in the spring.
Mulching
  • Spring: Add a layer of organic mulch around the plant in spring to retain soil moisture, reduce weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Mulch with materials like bark chips or compost for best results.
  • Winter: Applying mulch in winter helps insulate the roots of your Actaea, protecting it from harsh conditions. This additional layer can also prevent frost heaving, supporting root health.
Supporting the Plant
  • Staking: Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ has tall, slender flower spikes that can be affected by wind. In windy locations, consider staking to support the flowering stems and prevent damage.
Final Tips

Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ is a low-maintenance perennial that offers remarkable foliage and attractive late-summer flowers. By planting it in partial shade, moist soil, and following this care routine, your Actaea will become a stunning highlight in your garden. Add this unique plant to your garden, and enjoy its beautiful chocolate-coloured leaves and delicate blooms from late summer through autumn.

By following this guide, you’ll ensure that Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’ thrives in your landscape, creating a lasting visual impact with minimal effort.

RHS Details

See more Actaea from Proctors

 

 

 

Additional information

Pot Size

Plant Botanical Type

Perennial (herbaceous)
Flower Colour

Mauve, Pink
Leaf Colour

Bronze, Purple
Varigated Leaf

No
Scent

No
Height

1.5m
Spread

0.6m
Blooms/foliage interest in

Autumn
Evergreen

No
Hardiness

mild winter to -5c
Container

Borders and Containers
Sun/shade

Full Sun, Partial Shade
Soil Type

Loam (normal)
Soil PH

Neutral
Drainage

Moist, Well Drained Soil
Hazerdous

No, Only if eaten
Insect Attraction

Bees, Butterflies

67 reviews for Actaea simplex ‘Chocoholic’

  1. Elijah (verified owner) –

    Good quality, nicely packaged

  2. Jane Clarke (verified owner) –

    Large plants, delivered in excellent health and condition. Thank you for such amazing quality!

  3. Tony Jarvis (verified owner) –

  4. Pam (verified owner) –

  5. Joan Knox (verified owner) –

    excellent plant

  6. Anonymous (verified owner) –

    Strong, healthy plant

  7. Lynda Holt (verified owner) –

    Perfect

  8. Patricia Lockey (verified owner) –

  9. KELLY (verified owner) –

  10. Wendy Smith (verified owner) –

    Good plant

  11. Liona (verified owner) –

  12. Sarah Rawlings (verified owner) –

  13. Susan Christodoulou (verified owner) –

  14. Anonymous (verified owner) –

  15. Ann (verified owner) –

    My order was promptly fulfilled, and delivered earlier than had been anticipated. My 2 pots were packed very carefully and arrived unharmed. As expected, the plants are only just showing tiny green shoots, and I have every confidence that they will continue to thrive.

  16. Vivien Gudgeon (verified owner) –

  17. Angela R. (verified owner) –

    Looking forward to planting for next year!

  18. Derek Martin (verified owner) –

    Order received quickly with plant in good condition.

  19. Mrs Patricia D. (verified owner) –

    The. flowers arrived well packed and in beautiful condition

  20. Mr D. (verified owner) –

    I almost never do reviews but I felt this experience was worth comment. The website was easy to use, the plants were well packed, delivery was prompt and the plants were of great quality and size. Very impressed with the value and the whole experience.

  21. Tricia (verified owner) –

    I was recommended to Proctors and placed my first order in April 2023. These arrived in perfect condition having been carefully packaged. I decided to wait to see how they developed before placing a further order. Living up in the Peak District where it is much wetter and cooler than urban areas they have excelled and still look strong and healthy so decided to place a further order some 3 months later. This plant along with two others that I had ordered were equally well packaged and all very healthy on delivery. I will certainly come back for more and most probably try to find and call at the nursery myself as I do feel and bit grumbly about packaging and delivery charges.

    Whilst I only have 5 green fingers, and just beyond a basic novice, this company gets 10 out of 10 from me.

  22. Anonymous (verified owner) –

    Excellent quality please. Well packed and delivered without damage. Delighted and would recommend.

  23. Floortje B. (verified owner) –

  24. Allan Hulmes (verified owner) –

    great plant

  25. Peter W. (verified owner) –

    Good plant at a fair price

  26. Mark A. (verified owner) –

    Arrived in fabulous condition and well packed

  27. Anthony Groves (verified owner) –

    All 3 plants arrived in perfect condition very securely packed would recomend this nursery . Will certainly buy from them again .Good value for money .

  28. Margaret T. (verified owner) –

  29. Leah wilkinson (verified owner) –

  30. Richard Ingrams (verified owner) –

  31. William Higham (verified owner) –

    Healthy plants which will soon be blooming

  32. Alison (verified owner) –

    Since it is February, the plant is dormant, so I can’t comment about it further, but it was packed very carefully for postage.

  33. David G. (verified owner) –

    Excellent goods and service as usual.

  34. Graeme (verified owner) –

    Arrived in good condition very pleased so far

  35. Maureen (verified owner) –

  36. Margaret (verified owner) –

  37. Jenny Hewitt (verified owner) –

    Strong plant, well packed.

  38. Catherine B. (verified owner) –

    Very healthy looking plant

  39. Diana Shaw (verified owner) –

    Plants look healthy and I feel confident they will thrive.

  40. Anonymous (verified owner) –

  41. David G. (verified owner) –

    As above.

  42. Christine c. (verified owner) –

    Ordered several plants. Delivery and packaging was really good. All plants really healthy and in good condition. Very impressed and will definitely order again

  43. Christine Adams (verified owner) –

    These plants were excellent and delivered on day as promised I would most definitely recommend this nursery and I will use it when I need anymore plants

  44. Lynn Brookes (verified owner) –

    I am sure they will make a lovely display in my garded

  45. Miriam Thornton (verified owner) –

  46. Janet E. (verified owner) –

    Decent sized plant, not in flower as it flowers later in season. Have not grown Actaea before but keen to see how it grows.

  47. Anonymous (verified owner) –

  48. Karen H. (verified owner) –

  49. Angela M. (verified owner) –

    Plant was well packaged and very heathy looking.

  50. Hannah (verified owner) –

    3rd time purchasing plants from this nursery. Value for money and excellent packaging always arrived undamaged good healthy plants.

  51. Anonymous (verified owner) –

  52. A O. (verified owner) –

    Good Quality plants, dispatched quickly, very well packaged. Looking forward to watching them flourish. Would definitely use Proctors again.

  53. Anonymous (verified owner) –

  54. Christina Fisher (verified owner) –

    Excellent plants received,very pleased,cannot wait to see them grow.

  55. Gillian (verified owner) –

    Very healthy plant

  56. Linda H. (verified owner) –

    Beautiful plant

  57. Sarah R. (verified owner) –

    Beautiful plants, great condition, well packaged and a very speedy service. Will definitely be using Proctor’s again.

  58. Merv (store manager) –

  59. Sally Bennell (verified owner) –

  60. Sonia Singleton (verified owner) –

    Nice plants but on the small side

  61. Anna Fink (verified owner) –

  62. Sue Howlett (verified owner) –

  63. Anonymous (verified owner) –

    I was very satisfied with the whole experience of the purchase of plants delivered promptly in the post The plants received were good quality in perfect condition.

  64. Leah (verified owner) –

    Again very healthy looking plants. They were packaged really well and arrived really promptly would definitely use Proctors again and would recommend them to others.

  65. Beechy-Ann GRIFFITHS (verified owner) –

    Delighted with the plants and packaged well.

  66. Tom Edwards (verified owner) –

  67. Beverley Seymour (verified owner) –

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