Tall, vertical accent plants for the background of the shade border can be challenging to find. Bugbanes—formerly called Cimicifuga, botanically—are one of the few shade-tolerant perennials that really fill this need. Though not a recent introduction, 'Hillside Black Beauty' is one of my favorite plants for my shade garden. What sets it apart from most bug-banes is the very dark purple, almost black, foliage that contrasts beautifully when combined with hostas, ferns, heuchera, and astilbe in the mixed shade border.
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