Red Baneberry - Actaea rubra

Actaea rubra, also known as Red Baneberry, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan and the Upper Peninsula that puts on a satisfying long-season show in any shade garden. After the spring clusters of white blossoms fade in late June, they are replaced with bunches of showy red berries.
 
Red Baneberry reaches 2 feet tall with lush foliage. It prefers full to part shade and medium-moisture, acidic, organic-rich soil, but will grow in medium-dry to moist clay, loam or sand. This plant is tolerant of pine forests and is less fussy about habitat than its cousin White Baneberry (Doll's Eyes).
 
Berries and other plant parts are bitter and toxic so leave them for the birds. This plant is recommended by the Audubon Society for Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Sparrows, Sapsuckers, Grouse, Robins/Thrushes, and Brown Thrashers. It also offers pollen resources for native bees and other pollinators.
 
Red Baneberry is commonly found popping above forest groundcovers such as Bunchberry, Partridge Berry, Canada Mayflower, Bigleaf Aster, and Starflower. It pairs well with Sarsaparilla, American Spikenard, Pensylvania Sedge, and Oak Fern.