Comments on: Creamy Aruncus Plumes

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 14:18:49 +0000

Bill Roberts, you’re welcome. Goatsbeard is a great plant for some tough areas.

By: Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 13:39:56 +0000

Northern Shade, thank you for the advise, I really appreciate your help.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 14:42:04 +0000

Bill Roberts, you can remove the plumes in the fall with no problems, and cut the plant back to within a few cm (inches) of the ground. However, I often leave the plumes on over winter, since they are decorative, especially in late fall. They add some interest in the garden which would otherwise look bare. Since I’ve never had any problems with disease or insects on goatsbeard, I don’t worry about the foliage harbouring any problems over the winter, like you would with some perennials. I then cut them back in spring, before the new red shoots start to unfurl.

Some gardeners like a cleaner look over the winter, and you can cut them back in fall, if you like. I’d also cut them back in fall, if I noticed any problems on the leaves, or noticeable insect damage.

By: Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 12:38:21 +0000

Last year I planted a goats beard found it to be the ideal plant for my garden. I have searched for additional information with regards to pruning as I am not sure if the plumes should be cut back to the stem in the Autumn and or spring. I suspect this is the case though I am wary of damaging the plant. I would appreciate any information on care of the plant TQ.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 06:06:38 +0000

Mary, I garden in zone 3, where winters can go down to -40º C (-40º F). The goat’s beard are very hardy, and have no problems with the cold. We get reliable snow cover here, which adds extra insulation over the winter, too.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 21:59:04 +0000

It would be nice to see your zones, where all of you live which would help all of us in deciding if these plants would work in our locations!!

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.