Do you mean bugbane? I guess they may repell bags too ;)

(from Latin, "cimex" meaning bug and "fugo" meaning flee)

I don't know yet, my plants are still young and haven't bloomed yet to find out if they stink or not....some folks say they have an pleasant smell?

This year I bought Cimicifuga ramosa ÂBrunette and so far the foliage alone is wonderful and two years ago I bought a couple of C. racemosa, so hopefully they will bloom this year for me to find out.

Sharon

I have not taken note of the odor of the foliage, though guess I could go outside and check ... THOUGH, the flowers smell just WONDERFUL! .... just like grape pop! ... and you can smell them from a distance!

They do bloom on the late side, so plant in a warm sheltered location.

Terry

I agree with Terry. I have 'Brunette' and I LOVE the smell of the flowers!

How much sun does your 'Brunette' get? Mine's on the north side of the house, and it's never had enough time for the flower buds to actually bloom before frost :(
I wanna smell grape pop too!

Thank you all so much for clearing the air, no bad stink now.
Which of the cultivars perform better, Brunette or Hillside Black Beauty. Can afford only one this year.
Thanks
ella

I just went and sniffed my cimicifuga and noted NO overwhelming scent to the foliage. I have Brunette and have been pleased with it, though I believe Hillside Black Beauty has darker foliage? Last year I had picked up 'James Compton', a so called more compact variety ... I look forward to this one!

Laurie, I'd suggest you move your plant to a sunnier position ... I tell you the perfume is so very PLEASANT!

I was reading this thread with interest as I just purchased a cimicifuga Brunette this spring. Glad to hear the flower smells nice, but I did notice while planting the plant this morning that the foliage does stink. It didn't give off any odor, however, until I brushed my hand over it while firming it into the soil. Then I wondered what on earth the smell was!It shouldn't matter since I didn't place it anywhere that it will be disturbed. Maybe it's a defence mechanism. I'm hoping this one blooms earlier than the C. simplex. Last year mine was covered with buds, but froze before they could open.

I've tried C. simplex without luck. In my garden, at least, 'Brunette' usually blooms in September. I have it in quite a bit of shade, though. More sun might make it grow and bloom earlier (??). Even without flowers, it's a very pretty plant. Good luck with yours.

PS For a very stinky plant, try any Codonopsis. The leaves smell like skunk when brushed. The first year I had it, I kept looking for a dead skunk whenever I was in the part of the garden where my Codonopsis was growing. It was quite a surprise to find the source of the stench. It's still in my garden, but I try not to touch it!!

LOL, I betcha Codonopsis would be one of those deer proof plants!