Black Negligee Bugbane

Black Negligee Bugbane (Cimicifuga simplex 'Black Negligee')

Black Negligee Bugbane adds high-contrast drama to shade gardens, pairing dark, lacy foliage with tall, candle-like flower spikes late in the season. When many perennials are fading, it sends up fragrant, creamy white blooms that brighten part shade and create a strong vertical finish. The clump-forming habit stays composed, so it reads as intentional even in naturalistic plantings. Give it consistent moisture and rich soil, and it becomes a long-term anchor that looks better each year.

Distinctive Features

This cultivar is prized for finely cut, deep purple to near-black foliage that provides bold texture from spring through fall. In late summer into early fall, long spires of small, fragrant, creamy white flowers with a subtle pink to purple tinge rise above the leaves like soft candles. The upright habit adds height without bulk, making it easy to layer behind mid-border perennials in part shade. Mature plants typically reach about 4 to 5 feet tall and 18 to 24 inches wide, with flowering stems sometimes extending higher.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Part shade to full shade, with brighter shade improving flowering while protecting foliage from hot afternoon sun.
• Soil: Humus-rich, fertile, well-drained soil that holds consistent moisture.
• Water: Medium moisture, keep soil evenly moist and do not allow prolonged drying.
• Zones: USDA Zones 5 to 8.
• Notable Traits: Fragrant late-season bloom and strong foliage contrast, with deer resistance often reported.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant a small group as a late-season focal point at the back of a shade border where the flower spires can rise above companion plants.
• Woodland Gardens: Use in layered woodland plantings to add height, fragrance, and a refined, candle-like bloom effect.
• Moist Shade Beds: Place where soil stays consistently moist to maintain lush foliage and strong flowering.
• Foundation Plantings: Add to bright shade near buildings to soften hard lines with dark foliage and vertical bloom.

Low Maintenance Care

• Mulching: Top-dress with compost or leaf mold to retain moisture and support steady growth.
• Cutback: Cut stems to the ground after frost or in early spring before new growth begins.
• Watering: Water during heat and drought to prevent stress, leaf scorch, and reduced bloom.
• Support: Provide discreet support in windy sites, since tall flower spires can lean toward brighter light.

Why Choose Black Negligee Bugbane?

• Dark Foliage: Deep purple to near-black leaves add bold contrast in shade where color can be limited.
• Late Bloom: Fragrant creamy white flower spikes appear in late summer to early fall when the garden needs a fresh lift.
• Architectural Form: Upright spires and refined texture create a designed look without feeling heavy.
• Shade Performance: Thrives in part shade with consistent moisture and rewards patience with stronger clumps over time.

Black Negligee Bugbane is most effective when you treat it like a permanent design element, giving it room to mature and soil that stays evenly moist. Pair it with ferns, hostas, astilbe, and woodland grasses for a layered look that feels calm and intentional. Once established, it delivers late-season height, fragrance, and contrast with minimal fuss. If you want a shade border to finish the season with real presence, this plant fits.