Goatsbeard Aruncus dioicus 'Zweiweltenkind'
ABOUT
Aruncus dioicus 'Zweiweltenkind', commonly known as goat's beard, is a perennial plant that features an attractive bushy growth habit. The foliage of this plant is deep green and has a fern-like appearance, with leaves that are intricately divided into multiple leaflets, giving it a fine, feathery texture. Each leaflet has serrated edges, adding to the plant's lacy look. As the goat's beard blooms, it produces plume-like flower spikes that rise above the foliage. The flowers are typically creamy white, small, and densely packed along the upright stems, creating a fluffy, cloud-like appearance. These flower panicles are dramatic and impart a soft, billowy feel to the landscape. Goat's beard is a dioecious plant, meaning that there are separate male and female plants. The male flowers tend to be showier and more erect, while the female flowers might appear somewhat softer and droopier. Once flowering is finished, the plant produces seeds that can extend the visual interest into the autumn season. The seeds have a feathery look, much like the flowers, which can catch the light and add texture to the garden as the greenery around them starts to fade. Overall, the goat's beard plant is known for its striking foliage and flowers that can add a delicate, yet lush aesthetic to shaded garden areas, making it a favored choice for a woodland or cottage garden.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Goat's Beard, Bride's Feathers, Buck's-Beard
Common names
Aruncus dioicus, Aruncus vulgaris, Aruncus sylvester, Spiraea aruncus, Ulmaria dioica.
ToxicityTo humans
Goatsbeard is not commonly known to be toxic to humans. However, like with many plants, sensitivity varies from person to person, and some individuals may experience mild irritation or an allergic reaction if they have particular sensitivities. Ingesting significant amounts of the plant is generally inadvisable, as it could potentially lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, but severe toxic reactions are not commonly reported.
To pets
Goatsbeard is not commonly known to be toxic to pets. It does not contain any known compounds which are significantly toxic to dogs, cats, or other domestic animals. However, ingestion of large amounts of plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals. As with any non-food plant, it is wise to prevent your pets from ingesting this plant to avoid any potential digestive issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters)
Spread
3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-7
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Wildlife: Aruncus dioicus 'Zweiweltenkind', commonly known as Goatsbeard, can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden which supports biodiversity.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its large plumes of creamy white flowers and fern-like foliage, Goatsbeard adds a wild, natural beauty to any landscape.
- Shade Tolerant: This plant is particularly suitable for shaded areas of the garden, where many other plants might struggle to thrive.
- Cold Hardy: Goatsbeard is a robust plant that can survive in colder climates, making it a great choice for northern gardeners.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, making it a good option for those looking for low maintenance gardening.
- Soil Adaptability: It can adapt to a wide range of soil conditions, although it prefers moist, well-drained soil.
- Erosion Control: The extensive root system of Goatsbeard can help to prevent soil erosion, especially in sloped areas of the landscape.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The fibrous stems of goat's beard can be dried and used for basket-weaving, providing a natural and rustic material for traditional crafts.
- Due to its height and elegant plumes, goat's beard can be used theatrically as stage decoration or props in plays and performances that require a woodland setting.
- As a natural dye, parts of the goat's beard, especially the roots, may be boiled to create a soft yellow to brownish dye for textiles.
- The plant's feathery texture allows it to be used in floral arrangements, both fresh and dried, adding a unique aesthetic to bouquets and centerpieces.
- Dried plumes of goat's beard can be incorporated into homemade potpourri blends, contributing visual variety and structure.
- Landscapers often use goat's beard for erosion control on slopes or in rain gardens due to its robust root system.
- During winter, the persistent seed heads of goat's beard provide visual interest in snow-covered gardens, offering a sculptural element to the landscape.
- The plant can serve as a natural screen or divider in gardens, creating private spaces or hiding unsightly views.
- Goat's beard can be used in educational settings, such as school gardens, to teach children about pollinators as it attracts bees and butterflies.
- The seeds of goat's beard can be used in arts and crafts, particularly in the creation of natural jewelry or embellishments for decorative items.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Goat's beard is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Goat's beard is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Femininity and Masculinity: Aruncus dioicus, commonly known as Goatsbeard, features both male and female flowers on separate plants, symbolizing the duality and unity between feminine and masculine energies.
- Purity: The white color of Goatsbeard's flowers is often associated with purity and innocence, commonly used to convey these sentiments in various cultural contexts.
- Protection: With its bushy appearance reminiscent of a beard, Goatsbeard can symbolize protection, as beards have historically been seen as a sign of strength and guardianship.
- Home and Hearth: As Goatsbeard is a perennial plant that returns each year to the same spot, it can represent the stability and comfort of home, making it a symbol of hearth and enduring presence.
WaterGoatsbeard requires consistent moisture, especially during dry periods. Water the plant deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. If rainfall is scarce, provide additional water to maintain soil moisture. During the heat of summer, goatsbeard may need up to 1.5 gallons per week, depending on the size of the plant and environmental conditions. Reduce watering in the fall as the plant prepares for dormancy and during winter when the plant is dormant.
LightGoatsbeard prefers partial shade, thriving in conditions where it can receive morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled sunlight throughout the day. Avoid placing it in full sun, as this can cause the foliage to scorch. An ideal spot would be under the canopy of tall trees or on the north side of a building where it receives indirect light.
TemperatureGoatsbeard does well in a temperate climate with a preference for cooler temperatures. It can handle temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit during its dormant winter phase, and as high as 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the growing season. The ideal temperature range for active growth is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPruning goatsbeard is necessary to remove spent flower stalks and to tidy up the plant. It is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut back the old foliage and flower stalks to ground level. Additionally, deadheading, or the removal of faded flowers during the blooming season, helps to encourage more blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilGoat's beard thrives best in a soil mix that is rich in organic matter with good drainage. A mix consisting of garden soil, compost, and peat moss, with a pH between 5.5 and 7, will create an ideal environment for the plant's roots.
RepottingGoat's beard does not need frequent repotting; it can be repotted every 3 to 4 years or when it has outgrown its current container. Always repot in the spring before new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingGoat's beard prefers moderate humidity and will do well in typical garden environments without the need for special humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place goat's beard in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Plant goat's beard in partial shade, moist soil.
Hardiness zone
3-7 USDA
Life cycleCommonly known as Goatsbeard or Bride's Feathers, Aruncus dioicus 'Zweiweltenkind' begins its life cycle as a seed which germinates in moist, fertile soil, typically in spring. Seedlings establish themselves and grow into juvenile plants, developing a rosette of leaves in a clump-forming habit. As the plant enters maturity, usually in its second or third year, it produces tall, feathery plumes of cream-colored flowers in early to midsummer that are attractive to pollinators. After pollination, flowers develop into clusters of small, dry fruit (achenes) which can be dispersed by wind, facilitating the spread of the plant. In autumn, the foliage of Goatsbeard may turn yellow before the plant becomes dormant, with the roots surviving underground during winter. This perennial then re-emerges from its rootstock in the following spring, continuing the cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Aruncus dioicus 'Zweiweltenkind', commonly known as the Goatsbeard, is typically propagated through division. The best time to carry out this process is in the autumn, when the plant has died back, or early spring before new growth starts. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the plant, trying to keep the root ball intact. Then, using a sharp spade or knife, split the plant into smaller sections, ensuring that each section has a portion of the root system attached. These divisions can then be immediately replanted in well-preparing soil, spaced about 24 inches (approximately 61 centimeters) apart to accommodate future growth. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish them. This method is favored for its simplicity and effectiveness in producing new plants that are true to the parent.
