Aruncus dioicus or Goat’s Beard

This North America native is one amazing perennial for a shaded garden.  Many feel it resembles a large Astilbe having a similar foliage style and creamy white flower plumes.  Often Goat’s Beard is slow to get growing but once established it will prove to be a reliable and long lived perennial year after year.  Don’t skimp on space.  Tags say they will get 4-5’ tall x 3-4’ wide and they will definitely fill out those measurements, so be sure you don’t crowd it.  They bloom in early to midsummer and have average to consistent water needs.  They are deer resistant, are tolerant of partial or full shade and prefer moist, humus-rich soils.  Zone 3-7

If you still want to enjoy all of that reliable beauty but just don’t have quite that much space then let me recommend Aruncus ‘Misty Lace’.  ‘Misty Lace’ is a cross between Standard and Dwarf Goat’s Beard and this particular apple didn’t fall far from either tree.  ‘Misty Lace’ is more compact with a finer leaf, like Dwarf Goat’s Beard but still produces the large, creamy white plumes, like its’ other parent, Standard Goat’s Beard. 

They prefer the same growing conditions, and are just as hardy, but only get 2-3’ tall and 18-24” wide. 

Thanks to Heidi Brosseau for submitting this blog.