Comments on: Creamy Aruncus Plumes

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:21:56 +0000

Barbara, I’ve seen pictures of Thalictrum, but I haven’t tried it out yet. It sounds very nice. I didn’t realize that Filipendula had a fragrance. It’s another one I’ll have to check into more.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:32:00 +0000

There is a Cimicifuga growing next to our entrance door. I like the reflection of the light it has when blooming. In the shadow I also love the Filipendulas, they have a fine fragrance.But most of all I prefer the tall Thalictrums in the shadow.Their tiny, fine pink/white flowers are so beautiful!

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:57:08 +0000

TH, if mine grows 10 feet wide, I’ll have to do a little trimming to get through my gate.
I prefer the name Cimicifuga too. For one thing, it’s much more fun to say.
I used to grow Aconitum at my last garden, but they would get the same leaf tier larva as delphiniums do, so I gave up. I tried cutting them back, but they would not grow as well. I really admire their flowers and height.

By: TH

TH — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:58:43 +0000

Nice picture and a nice plant. We have native Aruncus here that get 10 feet tall and wide and they are a real joy when they bloom. I have several Dwarf Aruncus in my shade beds. They stay neatly compact at around 1 foot. Ill try to post some pictures at my site. They are quite tolerant of dry conditions as far a I can tell Gail. I love the Cimisifuga and refuse to go with the name change lol. Another of my favorites is Thalictrum. I find that Aconitum does very well in fairly heavy shade and my asian lillies come back every year in my shade beds. Last but not least is Ligularia which doesn’t get real tall but can have stalks up to 4 feet or so.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:04:11 +0000

Ulinne, it’s interesting that the common names in both German and English involve a beard. They do brighten the shadows in the garden. I like white blooms and silver foliage in the shade because I can see them well from a distance, or through my window.

By: Ulinne

Ulinne — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:51:08 +0000

Bei uns in Deutschland heißt diese Pflanze “Wald-Geissbart”, und wir haben auch 2 schöne, dicke Kleckse davon im Garten. Hier sind sie allerdings bereits verblüht und zurückgeschnitten. Aber es ist, als ginge im Garten das Licht an, wenn sie blüht, nicht wahr? ;-)
Liebe Grüße
Ulrike

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:09:41 +0000

Amy, it’s my only perennial that’s taller than me. It puts on a lot of growth in a short time.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:22:07 +0000

I’ve often wished I had enough shade to grow goatsbeard. What a fantastic plant!

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:17:16 +0000

Gail, I do give it some extra water. I’m not sure how dry it can go. Otherwise it doesn’t need any coddling. It never seems to have any problems. I usually cut the plumes down after they’ve browned, unlike the astilbe which still look decorative to me after they’ve faded.

By: Gail

Gail — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:10:41 +0000

I have always admired this plant, but have never tried it because I have dry shade. How would you think it would handle dry shade?

It is a good looking plant, like a white goldenrod.

Hypericum frondosum does well in shade for me and it can get to be about 3 to 4 foot tall, Zigzag golden rod doesn’t mind shade, but it is really only about 2 foot tall and we have a grass, Bottle Brush that likes shade.

Gail