Aruncus, also known as goat's beard, is a perennial plant with a thick woody rhizome and a straight stem. Its leaves are compound, twice pinnate, and lacy, with narrowly oval or oval-rounded leaflets. The flowers are arranged in spreading or compact plume-like panicles, which can reach a length of 50 cm.
The female flowers are white and airy in structure, while the male flowers are yellowish-white and form dense panicles. Goat's beard blooms from June to August and lasts for about 35 days. Its striking plumes make it one of the most attractive perennials in the garden.
Aruncus can reach a height of 1.5 meters, allowing it to be used to create vertical accents in the garden. Plant goat's beard in the background of flower beds and plant bright low-growing plants in front of it.
Choose semi-shaded locations for planting goat's beard, such as under tall trees. Its dense foliage will create a sense of coziness and protection. Combine goat's beard with other shade-loving plants such as ferns, astilbes, and hostas to create a variety of textures and colors.
Gardeners appreciate goat's beards for their snowy white or creamy lacy panicles, which refresh shady corners of the garden. They also serve as an excellent food source for bees, which is especially important for beekeepers.
Aruncus is ideal for creating living hedges or borders. Its dense bushes can be used as natural barriers and provide structure to the garden. They can also hide unsightly areas or unwanted elements. Goat's beards are also suitable for cutting and drying.
The main advantage of goat's beards is their longevity. They grow slowly and can remain in one place without division or transplantation for up to 10 years.
Goat's beards propagate slowly by dividing clumps or, less commonly, by seeds. Prune the shoots for winter and mulch the planting areas with organic material such as compost or dry leaves.
Aruncus can be planted in spring or fall. In spring, plant from late April to mid-June, once the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up sufficiently. And in autumn, plant from late August to early October, depending on the climatic conditions of your region.