goat's beard
Aruncus dioicus
Overview
Goat's beard is an amazing plant! It has lush, impressively two-toned foliage with finely serrated leaves that offer a unique texture - and its plume-like flowers add more visual interest as they emerge as creamy white sprays in late spring/early summer. This plant is easy to care for and is both deer and rabbit resistant. It thrives in woodland or rock gardens and can grow in semi-shade, making it a great addition to any garden. Not to mention, its wonderful delicate hue contributes to the landscape in an unexpected and refreshing way. With all its amazing features, this special plant will truly stand out and make a memorable impression!
Care Guide
Watering
Goat's beard should be watered deeply and thoroughly once a week during the growing season. Make sure not to over-water goat's beard; wait until the top 2 inches of soil are dry before watering is necessary. During the winter months, when the plant is dormant, water should be limited. Allow soil to become mostly dry before giving it a deep drink of water.
Light
Goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus) prefers light shade or dappled sunlight throughout most of the day. It typically requires 4–6 hours of direct sunlight per day to truly thrive. If planted in an area with full sun, goat's beard should receive afternoon shade in order to protect it from intense sunlight. In addition to providing protection from afternoon sunlight, partial shade can also help to keep the soil a bit cooler and moist, which are ideal growing conditions for this plant species.
Soil
Humus rich, Well-drained
Temperature
Hardiness zone 4–8.
Pruning
For goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus), pruning should be done at the end of spring when the plant is almost done flowering. Because goat's beard has a tendency to self-sow, it is important to prune back the stems to prevent them from becoming too leggy and sprawling. Deadheading (removing spent flowers) as needed can also help to tidy the plant and control its size. Pruning should not be done too heavily as goat's beard is a perennial that regenerates slowly; it should be pruned lightly for shaping and tidying, but mostly leave intact.
Propagation
Seed Propagation
Uses & Symbolism
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies.
Diseases & Pests
Common pests: Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought resistant.
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