Bugbane is such a striking perennial, it's surprising that we don't see it more often in shade gardens. 'Chocoholic' bugbane (formerly known as Cimicifuga) has astilbe-like foliage, lacy and deeply serrated, but a deep burgundy color, on stems that can grow anywhere from two to four feet tall and wide. Pale pink flower spikes rise high above the dark leaves late in summer and into the fall, slowly fading to white. The fragrance of the flowers is reminiscent of grapes, and apparently is repellent to some insects, thus the common name of bugbane.