Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus)

Goat's beard is a graceful, shade-loving herbaceous perennial with a bushy, erect habit, growing up to 6' tall. Its delicate fern-like leaves provide visual interest throughout the growing season, while its main attraction is the huge billowy plumes of creamy-white flowers that appear in early summer, rising tall above the foliage. Plants are either male or female, with the male flowers being showier. Goat's beard can grow well in containers.

Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade (can be grown in full sun with consistent moisture)
Soil & Moisture: Moist, humus-rich soil
Mature Size: 3'-6' tall, 3'-5' wide, spreads slowly by short rhizomes
Bloom Time: Early to mid-summer
Edible: No
Wildlife Value: Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators including braconid wasps, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Seeds eaten by birds.
Habitat & Range: Moist forests, riparian areas, and mountainous areas, from Alaska to California. Low to high elevations. Grows primarily west of the Cascade Mountains.
Other Names: Goatsbeard