Description of Aruncus dioicus (Goat's Beard)

Aruncus dioicus is goat’s beard, a tall perennial for damp soil and part shade. It produces large feathery flower plumes that bring height and texture to bog gardens.

Appearance

It forms bold clumps of divided leaves and sends up tall creamy-white plumes in early summer. Flower stems can reach 1.2 to 1.8m in good conditions.

Care Guide

It prefers moist, rich soil and benefits from some shelter from hot afternoon sun.

• Sun: Part shade is ideal.
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich soil.
• Water: Keep consistently damp.
• Mulch: Mulch in spring to hold moisture.
• Cut back: Cut down after flowering or in late winter.

Give it space so its size does not crowd smaller plants.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits larger bog gardens as a background plant. It pairs well with ferns and rodgersias.

Keep it on the moist edge rather than the saturated centre.

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