Goatsbeard
Aruncus dioicus
Goatsbeard is a perennial for focal point, mid-border, suited to shade and partial shade and clay, loam or moist ground, flowering May, Jun, Jul.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 150 cm |
| Spread | 120 cm |
| Aspect | shade and partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 3a-7b |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | Not confirmed |
Where to use it in a border
At around 150 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 120 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 3a to 7b, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of shade, clay soil, wet soil, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Goatsbeard's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- It copes with ground that stays wet, which most border plants will not.
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Allegheny Spurgeto edge in front
- Appalachian Sedgeto edge in front
- Cherokee Sedgeto edge in front
- Coral Bells 'Autumn Bride'to edge in front
- Creeping Oregon Grapeto edge in front
- Creeping Phlox 'Sherwood Purple'to edge in front
Garden styles
Foundation planting Native Shade cottage Woodland
Sources
Bloom timing and hardiness drawn from: