Goat's Beard (Aruncus dioicus)
[ah-RUN-kus dy-oh-EYE-kus]

Deciduous Perennial Mounded, Clump-Forming in the Rosaceae Family
A large, dioecious woodland perennial with foot-long plumes of creamy flowers above bold, fern-like foliage -- male and female plants look slightly different up close.
Aruncus dioicus, commonly known as goat's beard, is a large, robust perennial native to woodlands and moist meadows across North America and Eurasia. It forms substantial clumps of finely divided, fern-like foliage topped in late spring to early summer by tall, feathery plumes of tiny creamy-white flowers, each plume up to a foot long. As its species name suggests, the plant is truly dioecious: male and female flowers grow on separate plants, with male plants generally showier thanks to their pollen-laden stamens, while female plants develop small seed capsules once the blooms fade. Adaptable to full sun through partial shade given consistently moist soil, it makes a bold accent for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and streamside plantings.

Pros

  • Bold, architectural presence in shaded and woodland gardens
  • Long-lasting plume-like flower display
  • Easy to grow once established
  • Attracts pollinators

Cons

  • Needs consistently moist soil
  • Large size (4-6ft tall) needs room
  • Slow to mature, taking 2-3 seasons to reach full size
Why Like Aruncus dioicus grows wild in rich, moist woodlands and along streams across much of North America and Eurasia, where its true dioecy -- separate male and female plants -- is an unusual trait among garden perennials. Male plants carry showier, pollen-laden flower plumes, while female plants develop small seed capsules; both are valuable nectar sources for pollinators.
Highlights A large-scale native goat's beard with astilbe-like plumes, bold fernlike foliage, and a genuinely dioecious flowering system -- male and female plants are visibly different up close.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 4 - 6 feet tall. 24 - 48 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet: Needs consistently moist soil and does not tolerate drought, though it tolerates occasional wet conditions well.
Zones 3a - 7b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Deciduous, Full Sun, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Illinois Native, Medium, Native to North America, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period April to June
Flower Color Creamy white
Foliage Color Green
 

Most Popular Plants
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well with ferns, hostas, and other large-scale shade perennials that can hold their own next to its substantial size, such as Ligularia or Rodgersia.

Photos of This with...

Yarrow, Solanna Golden Sphere Tickseed, The Rocket Leopard Plant, Ligularia Bottle Rocket, Golden Creeping Jenny, Green Carpet Japanese Pachysandra, Shenandoah Switch Grass, Alpine Currant, Blue Hill Wood Sage, Cup Plant, Periwinkle,
 
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 09/30


© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!