Fairy candles must have rich, moist soil that drains well. In dry locations the leaves turn brown and may drop off, so mulch well and water heavily during dry spells. Staking isn’t usually necessary, but overfeeding with plant food may cause the stems to grow so luxuriantly that they lean after a period of high winds. As a precaution in windy locations, place tall, very thin bamboo canes around the plant and tie green string loosely to “corset” the stems. No other care is needed, except to remove the spent blossoms and feed with compost or aged manure every year or two. In a “wild” situation, allow the spent flower spikes to go to seed and they will self-sow to produce even more of this delightful plant.
In most catalogs and garden books, this plant is usually called black cohosh, black snakeroot, or bugbane—totally unflattering names for a highly desirable plant. “Fairy candles” is so much more appropriate and descriptive! This graceful eastern American native has found a home in woodlands and large borders around the world. When in flower it dominates any planting with its tall fairy wands of white blossoms. This large plant requires space, so plant it where it can spread, such as in a bed of hostas or ferns.
Fairy candles is at home in the center of a large island bed; at the back of a one-sided border; in a wild, woodland garden where it can spread freely; and as a tall feature in a bed of a ground cover such as pachysandra, periwinkle, ivy, or hosta. It likes part shade but will grow in full sun if ample moisture is provided. It isn’t particularly fond of the heat and humidity of the Deep South.
ZONES: 3–9
BLOOM TIME: Mid- to late summer
LIGHT: Part shade
HEIGHT: 6–8 feet
INTEREST: Candles of long, elegant white flower spikes that tower above foliage