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Appalachian False Goatsbeard Astilbe biternata

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ah-STIL-bee by-TER-nat-uh
Description

A strikingly bold perennial wildflower with tall, white feathery flower plumes, and Large attractive fern-like leaves in the Saxifage family.  False goat’s-beard is the only Astilbe native to North America and with its height of almost 6 feet, it is more striking than many of its cultivated cousins. In nature, it can be found growing in cove forests, seepage slopes, and boulder field forests. In NC it is native to the mountains.

Its showy floral display is exceptional and very unusual for a shade plant. It works well as a background plant in perennial planting beds, in woodland or shade gardens and makes for excellent cut flowers. Grow in average to moist well-drained soil amended with compost. It prefers partial shade to dappled shade.

This plant closely resembles Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) with similar-looking flowers and leaves but Goatsbeard is in the rose family. They are often found growing in the same habitat.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#native perennial#piedmont#shade garden#showy leaves#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#showy fruits#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#dioecious#native garden#mountains#fruits fall#summer interest#cutting garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#naturalized area#fruits summer#food source summer#forb#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source spring#food source nectar#food source pollen#wet soils tolerant#Piedmont Mountains FACU#partial shade tolerant#Audubon#perennial#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#white flowers#native perennial#piedmont#shade garden#showy leaves#spring flowers#rabbit resistant#showy fruits#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#perennial flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#dioecious#native garden#mountains#fruits fall#summer interest#cutting garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#native wildflower#naturalized area#fruits summer#food source summer#forb#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source spring#food source nectar#food source pollen#wet soils tolerant#Piedmont Mountains FACU#partial shade tolerant#Audubon#perennial#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Astilbe
    Species:
    biternata
    Family:
    Saxifragaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    West Virginia to SE. U.S.A
    Distribution:
    GA , KY, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Pollinators enjoy the nectar from the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Description:
    Small follicles in clusters in summer to fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Large, elongated, much-branched, terminal cluster of many small, white or yellowish flowers; ten stamens; hairy flower stalk; 4-5 narrow petals. Blooms May-July. It is dioecious with separate male and female plants.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Bright green, up to 2-foot, pinnately compound leaves divided into two parts; divided again into three-toothed or lobed, ovate leaflets; terminal leaflet has three lobes. Leaflets are 3-6 inches by 1.5-3 inches
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Wet Soil