Goatsbeard, or Aruncus dioicus, is native to many parts of North America and the mountainous areas of both Europe and Asia. This plant grows well in woodland areas along streams and ponds as well as at the transitional zones of a partly shaded rain garden. The impressive white-plumed flowers are a creamy white and appear in late spring. This plant is dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants; the male flowers are somewhat showier than the females, but equally effective at attracting beneficial insects. The large palmate leaves remain fresh and green all summer and work as a backdrop to highlight whatever is in bloom.
Photo by Leonora (Ellie) Enking, unmodified, Flickr, Copyright CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED
Goatsbeard, a member of the rose family, appreciates deep loamy soils with excellent drainage. It requires regular water to keep new plants thriving. Young plants left to dry out may take longer to grow and establish. Use goatsbeard to replace the more fussy Astilbe or plants listed as invasive such as Japanese knotweed and Buddleia davidii.
Shrubs To Plant With Goatsbeard
Goatsbeard is a great addition to any wildlife-friendly yard or informal mixed border containing local native shrubs. Some native shrubs that grow well alongside goatsbeard include buckeye bush, sumac, serviceberry, snowberry, Siberian willow, snowberry, red twig dogwood, and ninebark. Plant these natives in loamy soil with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Goatsbeard can also be planted with other rose family members, including tea roses, potentilla, spirea, and hawthorn. For edible fruits, include raspberries, apples, and cherries in the planting.
Perennials To Plant With Goatsbeard
Woodland perennials are the best companions for goatsbeard and lend a naturalistic feel. Plants preferring partial shade such as brunnera, hosta, Siberian Iris, and dutchman’s pipe thrive alongside goatsbeard in moist soil. The newly emerging foliage of goatsbeard can highlight spring blooming ephemerals, such as crocus, daffodils, checker lilies, bluebells, and species hyacinths. These bulbs welcome spring and do not compete with the fibrous root system of goatsbeard. For native options, try columbine, foamflower, bloodroot, and claytonia, which appear in early spring and bloom just before goatsbeard.
Annuals To Plant With Goatsbeard
Taller annuals with an airy form look the best with goatsbeard. Choose annuals that tolerate partial shade, such as cosmos, zinnias, larkspur, and snapdragons. The more traditional, shade-loving annuals like impatiens, coleus, nicotiana, and caladium thrive in moist soils and look great against the interesting foliage of goatsbeard.
Photo by K M, unmodified, Flickr, copyright CC BY 2.0 DEED
Best Companion Plants For Goatsbeard in Containers
New, dwarf selections of goatsbeard make it possible to grow goatsbeard in small spaces and containers. The smallest goatsbeard cultivars average just 12 inches tall and are fantastic filler plants. Combine them with taller thriller plants like ferns, caladium, and coleus.
Goatsbeard growing in a container will require regular fertilizing unlike goatsbeard growing in the ground. When grown with hungry annuals, goatsbeard will tolerate a container feeding every 2-3 weeks. Liquid formulations are the easiest to use and should be diluted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Plants Not To Grow With Goatsbeard
Goatsbeard does not tolerate dry, poor soil. Avoid including it in a xeric garden plan with succulents, cacti, and other drought-tolerant plants. Garden borders designed for hot locations with lavender, rosemary, and other Mediterranean plants are also unsuitable for goatsbeard. Likewise, these sun lovers would not thrive in a woodland setting with goatsbeard.
Best Plants To Grow With Goatsbeard
For a naturalistic planting scheme, combine goatsbeard with fellow native shrubs and herbaceous perennial like snowberry, serviceberry, dogwood, columbine, and foamflower. Choose a site in partial or dappled shade with consistently moist soil, such as near a stream or pond. For a pondside planting, goatsbeard is ravishing amidst mock orange, rambling roses, clumping bamboo, wild ginger, and other pondside plants. The varied textures and shapes of the plants is a feast for the eyes.
Sources: “Goat's beard: Aruncus sylvester,” King County. green2.kingcounty.gov/gonative