Actaea pachypoda

Baneberry is another great Eastern US woodland native, resembling a cross between a cimicifuga and an astilbe. The pinnate foliage gives rise in spring to 18" tall stalks, first with small white flowers, then followed by really cool white berries attached by bright red stems. I will admit to killing dozens of cool-temperature-loving baneberry plants over the years. I had actually quit trying, until I discovered a rare disjunct native population of baneberry only 15 minutes from my home in the heat of NC. These plants were grown from seed of this Southern population from the Swift Creek in Raleigh, NC.