Common Goatsbeard

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

3-6 Feet

Mature Spread

3-6 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Do you have a spot in the garden that is perfect for the look of Astilbe, but maybe not quite right to keep Astilbe happy. Goat’s Beard is a North American native perennial that is happy to fill that spot! With its dense plumes of creamy white flowers and medium green foliage, Goat’s Beard is a lovely backdrop in a woodland planting or a naturalized planting that features native plants and shrubs. Since it will tolerate seasonal flooding, Aruncus can be incorporated into zone 2 or 3 of a Rain Garden plan. An added bonus is Goat's Beards' ability to be drought tolerant as it matures, making it great for a spot that might be too dry to support Astilbe.

Goat’s Beard has flower plumes that reach up to 24 inches long and is an interesting cut flower for the vase or dried flower arrangement. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. In order to be sure of complete pollination multiple plants should be planted near each other. Mass plantings have a dramatic look, but even one in a smaller garden can be effective and will bloom without setting seed. 

Goat's Beard Care

A shady spot with moist, but well drained soil will help this perennial to establish the deep taproots it needs to be drought tolerant at maturity. Fertilizing is not necessary for native plants. Planting in the right place with the  correct pH  is all this plant needs to be happy. Aruncus prefer soil with acidic soil less than 6.5 on the pH scale.

Annual maintenance is only  cutting back the old foliage and bloom stems late in the winter before new growth emerges. Leaving the dying foliage to stand over winter provides shelter for a host of wildlife in your garden. Goat’s Beard is host to the Dusky Azure Butterfly. The eggs of caterpillars are laid on the underside of the leaves and the caterpillars feed on the foliage before forming a chrysalis. 

Goat’s Beard Spacing

Goat’s Beard grows best in a spot with lots of room to spread its stems. A mature height and width of 3-6 feet make this perennial perfect for the back of the border or part of an informal, seasonal hedge. Spacing  plants at 5 feet on center is recommended.