Aruncus dioicus (m)

RHS Plant Profile
goat's beard

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goat's beard RHS 2002

Synonyms

Aruncus sylvestris
Aruncus plumosus

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Bogs Herbaceous Perennial
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A vigorous herbaceous perennial forming large clumps to 2m in height, with broad, light green, bipinnate leaves and arching plumes of tiny creamy-white male flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Aruncus are clump-forming rhizomatous perennials with pinnately divided leaves and very small creamy-white flowers, usually unisexual, in large terminal panicles
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
N Hemisphere

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, fertile soil in full sun or partial shade.

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring or autumn or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to sawflies

Diseases

Generally disease-free