PerennialsAruncus dioicus
Goat's Beard
Goat's beard is a stately, woodland perennial with large, compound leaves and spectacular creamy-white flower plumes that rise above the foliage in June and July. This native plant can reach 180 cm tall and is perfect for partial shade beneath trees or along waterways.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Partial shade
- Water
- Medium
- Height
- 100–180 cm
- Spread
- 80–120 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 3–7
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- white
- Wildlife value
- bees, butterflies
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant in partial shade in moist, humus-rich soil. The plant tolerates more sun if the soil stays sufficiently moist. Mulch annually with leaf compost and apply a light feed in spring. Once established, the plant is reasonably drought-tolerant.
Pruning tips
Remove spent flower stems after blooming, or leave them standing for decorative seed heads. Cut back dead foliage in late autumn or early spring.
Good companions
PerennialsHosta sieboldiana
Hosta
Hosta is the quintessential shade plant, valued for its large, blue-green, ribbed leaves. Light purple or white bell-shaped flowers appear on tall stems in July and August. Over the years the plant forms substantial clumps that give a shaded border a lush character.
PerennialsAstilbe × arendsii
False Spirea
False Spirea is an elegant shade plant with feathery plumes in pink, red, or white above deeply cut foliage. It blooms from June to August, and the plumes retain their ornamental value even when dried. Astilbe thrives in moist, shady spots where many other plants struggle.
PerennialsDigitalis purpurea
Foxglove
Foxglove is an imposing plant with tall flower spikes packed with thimble-shaped blooms in purple, pink, or white. The flowers appear from June to July on one-sided spires reaching up to one and a half metres. The plant is biennial but self-sows reliably, returning each summer. Note: all parts are poisonous.