Aruncus dioicus

Goat's beard is a native rhizomatous herbaceous perennial in the Rosaceae (rose) family that is found in damp, fertile woods, and mountainous areas of Eurasia and the US and Canada.  The genus name Aruncus comes from the Greek word for goats beard.  Goat's beard grows to a bushy 3 to 6 foot tall plant that makes a bold statement in the garden.

Goat's beard prefers moist, fertile, organically rich soils that are not allowed to dry out in full sun to part shade.  In warmer regions it prefers partial shade.  It is best to give it protection from the hot afternoon sun in the southern portion of its growing range. Plant leaving 2 to 3 feet between plants, being aware it may take 2 to 3 seasons to fully mature.

It is dioecious meaning it has separate male and female plants. The flowers on the male plant are showier with numerous stamens per flower while the female flower has 3 stamens. The blooms are feathery and astilbe-like, with finger-like projections, growing to a foot long.  Some say the flowers resemble a goat's beard, hence the common name. Prune the plant back after it flowers to promote bushy growth.  Propagate this plant by seed or divide in the early spring leaving at least one eye per cut section.  .

The flowers attract pollinators like butterflies and bees.  Mass plant it in rain gardens, a cutting garden, along stream beds, or ponds. Place it at the back of a woodland perennial garden or along a slope where its showy flowers can be enjoyed from late spring to early summer.  

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Goat's beard has some susceptibility sawflies and leaf spot.