Blue Cohosh

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Blue Cohosh is a choice woodland wildflower treasured for its lacy blue-green foliage and deep blue berries. This beautiful shade garden plant prefers a soil with abundant organic matter from decaying leaves and consistent moisture. A cluster of yellow flowers …

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SKU
71970-GL
Cultural Details
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil Moisture Medium
Sun Exposure Partial, Shade
Height 2' - 4'
Bloom Color Yellow
Bloom Time Apr, May, June
Spacing 1'
Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Root Type Rhizome
Benefits Birds

Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) is a choice woodland native, treasured for its lacy blue-green foliage and deep blue berries. This beautiful shade garden plant prefers a soil with abundant organic matter from decaying leaves and consistent moisture. In spring, a cluster of yellow flowers appear at the branching "Y" of the stem. The flowers are intricate and interesting, but small and somewhat inconspicuous. The berries that follow, however, are very showy. Starting out green, the berry clusters turn blue as they mature later in the summer. In fall the berries persist as the plant foliage turns bright green-gold. Combine this shade-loving species with lower growing wildflowers and sedges. Once established at a favorable site Blue Cohosh is a long-lived plant. It is colony forming, but the spread is slow and easily controlled. 

Blue Cohosh berries are toxic for humans, and should not be eaten. They persist into late winter and are only consumed by wildlife after they’ve been through a couple of freeze thaw cycles.