Goat's Beard, Bride's feathers
Aruncus dioicus
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Aruncus dioicus is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from June to August. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil.
Height (m): 2
Where it is found
Damp woods, shady places and by streams, usually in mountainous areas.
Europe, N. America and Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Budlings, stems and young leaves - cooked. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The poulticed root is applied to bee stings. A tea made from the roots is used to allay bleeding after child birth, to reduce profuse urination and to treat stomach pains, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea, fevers and internal bleeding. The tea is used externally to bathe swollen feet and rheumatic joints. A salve made from the root ashes is rubbed onto sores.
Antipyretic: Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Birthing aid: Used in facilitating birth, but not just to cause uterine contrctions.
Salve: Soothes and heals damaged skin.
Stings: Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
VD: Used in the treatment of venereal disease
Other
Rating:
Plants form a dense growth that is very effective at holding invasive plants at bay. They can be used as a tall ground cover for large areas.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Massing, Seashore, Specimen, Woodland garden. Succeeds in most moist soils in sun or partial shade. Plants do well in moist to wet soils but will also tolerate fairly dry sites. Succeeds in acid or limey soils. Grows well on the woodland edge. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn. Plants are hardy to at least -20°c. This is a polymorphic species, especially the form that grows in Japan. There are some named forms selected for their ornamental value, 'Kneiffii' is only half the size of the type species. Plants are fast-growing and form very large clumps. The flowers are sweetly perfumed. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Wetlands plant.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Sow stored seed in late winter or early spring in a cold frame. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame until they are at least 15cm tall. They can be planted out into their permanent positions at any time of the year. Division in early spring or autumn. Very easy, the clumps can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Meadow; Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-7
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist, wet
Things to keep in mind
Cyanogenic glycosides are found in the leaves.
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
A. silvester. A. vulgaris.