False Goat's Beard Astilbe biternata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called False Goat's Beard:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-STIL-bee by-TER-nat-uh
- Description
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Appalachian false goat’s-beard a herbaceous flowering perennial in the saxifrage family (Saxifragaceae) native to eastern North America mountains and found in rich woodlands and seepage slopes. The species name refers to the double subdivision of the leaves.
This plant grows 3 to 6 feet Tall and 2 to 3 feet wide in partial shade to dappled shade. It does best in fertile moist soils that are well-drained but consistently moist. It is deer and rabbit resistant and black walnut tolerant.
The floral display is exceptional with a plume-shaped inflorescence of hundreds of tiny white flowers held above the large leaves in late spring to early summer. There is plenty of nectar to attract many pollinators. It is similar to goat's beard and in the native habitat can be found growing together.
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.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for powdery mildew, spider mites, and aphids.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Astilbe
- Species:
- biternata
- Family:
- Saxifragaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeast united States
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The capsile is 2 chambered and splits to reveal seeds
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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.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 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. Glandular-hairy on petioles and veins beneath.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green stems emerge from rhizomes and are somewhat glandular-hairy above.
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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:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil