Aruncus dioicus
Bride's feathers, Sylvan goat's beard
Also known as Aruncus sylvestris, Aruncus plumosus
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 1.2m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This hearty, handsome, spreading plant comes into its own in summer when it carries wonderful creamy white plumes for several weeks. There are separate male and female clones, and the males have the better flowers. These can reach 2m (7ft) or more if the plant is well grown. The flowers smell of meadowsweet.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet-meadowsweet
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 1.2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Shady court, Scented garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Bee attraction
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.