The combination of the grey-green leaves and lilac coloured modest flowers of the Hosta with the red berries and very different foliage of Actea rubra (which are as poisonous as they look apparently), enhances both plants I think.  The Actea has only just begun; there will be plenty more red before long.   Last year I collected seed which I could not get to germinate, but Actea does self seed quite prolifically.  We have two varieties of Actaea, this one and Actaea pachypoda f. pachypoda which used to be called by the more senseible and descriptive name of Actaea alba.  They both thrive in partial to deep shade.  Siad to have a height of 45cms, ours is rather more than that, and its spread about 30cms.  The necessary shade is provided here by two Juniperus (unnamed) behind and to the right, and Viburnum davidii visible to the left.  next door to the Actaea is a group of Crocosmia ‘Luciferer’ which will soon provide more red colour to the right.

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