Goatsbeard

Aruncus dioicus

Rosaceae

• Spokane Native 
• USDA Zone 3-7
• Part Sun-Part Shade
• Size: 3'-5' wide x 3'- 6' tall
• Drought Tolerant: Moderate
• Evergreen: No
• Flower Color: Creamy white (May-July)
• Wildlife Value: Attracts native bees, butterflies, beneficial insects; host plant for Dusky Azure butterfly

Goatsbeard is a robust, shrub-like perennial native to moist woodlands, streams, wet ravines, and meadows throughout the Pacific Northwest. It grows from rhizomes to form impressive bushy clumps. This hardy plant prefers moist, rich, acidic soils high in organic matter and performs best with at least half-day shade, though it tolerates full sun in cool climates with consistent moisture.

Bold, finely-cut, dark green pinnately compound leaves emerge in April, creating an attractive mound 3-4 feet tall. In early summer, multiple branched flower stems rise high above the foliage, bearing spectacular feathery plumes up to 20 inches long composed of hundreds of tiny creamy-white flowers. Male plants (with numerous stamens per flower) produce showier, more upright blooms than female plants, whose flowers tend to droop. The impressive display lasts about 10 days at peak, with blooms remaining attractive for several weeks. Spent plumes turn tan and provide winter interest if left standing.

Goatsbeard attracts an impressive array of pollinators including native bees, syrphid flies, tiny beetles, butterflies, and beneficial insects. It serves as a host plant for Dusky Azure butterflies and occasionally Mourning Cloak butterflies. Small birds utilize the seeds for food if spent flowers are left to overwinter. Deer and rabbit resistant. Native Americans used root poultices medicinally for treating sores.

Exceptional as a specimen plant, background planting, or bold accent in shade gardens and woodland edges. The large shrub-like form creates excellent screening or serves as a transition plant between landscaped areas and natural woodlands. Works beautifully beside pools, streams, or in rain gardens. Combines well with astilbe, monkshood, columbine, ferns, hostas, iris, wild ginger, Virginia bluebells, bleeding heart, inside-out flower, and woodland ground covers. Also pairs naturally with Douglas fir, western hemlock, western red cedar, and vine maple. Space plants 3-5 feet apart as they spread slowly by rhizomes to form large patches. Difficult to transplant once established, so choose location carefully. Cut back foliage in fall or early spring. Foliage may decline rapidly if soils dry out.