Overview
Goatsbeard, Aruncus dioicus, is a temperate northern hemisphere native perennial with feathery plumes of cream colored flowers in late spring or summer. The arching plumes are densely covered with many small florets in 20-inch branched clusters, and resemble a large, airy Astilbe (to which goatsbeard is not related – Astilbe is in the Saxifragaceae family and Aruncus is in the Rosaceae family). The plants are dioecious (separate male and female plants) and male plants have somewhat showier flowers than female plants. Plants are typically not identified as one or the other sex when offered for sale.
The flowers – which make good cut flowers – are at their peak for about 10 days. Female plants produce tiny brown seed capsules, which are slightly poisonous. After flowering, the plumes turn tan or light brown above the 3 to 4 foot mounds of dark green, pinnately compound leaves. Each leaf has 20 or more toothed oval leaflets. This clump-forming woodland plant is hardy in zones 4a to 8b.
Aruncus dioicus is native to deciduous woodlands of the eastern and central US (including Wisconsin) and western Europe, as its native range is throughout the temperate northern hemisphere. The species is often divided into four naturally-occurring varieties. Aruncus dioicus var. dioicus occurs from Pennsylvania to Indiana, south to Arkansas and Alabama; Aruncus dioicus var. pubescens is found in the middle of the eastern US, from Virginia to Oklahoma, and Arkansas to Illinois; while Aruncus dioicus var. acuminatus is native to the western US. Aruncus dioicus var. vulgaris is from western and central Europe, Russia, and the Caucasus.
Cultivars of Goatsbeard
There are few named cultivars of goatsbeard. Some of the most common include:
- Korean goatsbeard (Aruncus aethusifolius, sometimes called dwarf goatsbeard) is a similar species, but grows only 8 to 12 inches tall and is hardy in zones 3a to 9b.
- ‘Chantilly Lace’ (PP 30,740) is a hybrid variety that grows 24 to 32 inches tall and 40 to 48 inches wide, with white flowers.
- ‘Fairy Hair’ (PP 30,242) is a compact variety with highly lobed leaves and triangular, upright plumes of creamy white flowers. Grows 20 to 24 inches tall and wide.
- ‘Goatee’ (PP 36,674) is a compact variety growing 24 to 26 inches tall and 26 to 28 inches wide, with creamy white flowers.
- ‘Glasnevin’ is a compact selection with white flowers and very deep green leaves. It was introduced by the National Botanic Garden of Ireland that bears its name.
- ‘Guinea Fowl’ is a compact hybrid variety (A. dioicus x A. aethusifolius) with dense flower plumes, growing 18 to 22 inches tall.
- ‘Hillside Gem’ has more finely divided leaves.
- ‘Kneiffii’ is a more compact type, growing 2 to 3 feet tall, with finely divided foliage, and airy flower spikes.
- ‘Whirlwind’ is a seed strain that has very finely divided leaves and flower stems that reach 5 to 6 feet tall, with airy white flowers.
- ‘Zweiweltenkind’ (sometimes listed as ‘Child of Two Worlds’ – the translation of its name from German) is shorter and sturdier than the species, growing 2 to 2½ feet tall and 1½ to 2 feet wide, with creamy white flowers.
Landscape Use of Goatsbeard
Goatsbeard grows best in moist, fertile soil in partial shade, although it will do fine in full sun if given consistent moisture. Amend the soil with generous amounts of organic matter before planting. Space plants 2 to 4 feet apart, providing plenty of room to accommodate their mature size. Once established, transplanting this species is a difficult task. They tend to grow slowly the first few seasons. The wide-open spaces between young plants can be filled with annuals until the goatsbeard reaches its full, mature size.
They combine well with Astilbe, monkshood (Aconitum), columbine and ferns in woodland gardens. Other native woodland wildflowers to plant goatsbeard with include wild ginger (Asarum), Virginia bluebells (Mertensia), Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium), bloodroot (Sanguinaria), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) and Trillium.
This bold accent plant can be used as a specimen, as a large, shrub-like background plant in a perennial border, or for softening the transition at the edge of landscaped areas to woodlands. Use in small groups at the edge of a woodland path or mix with iris and ground covers in lightly shaded area. Goatsbeard is a natural beside a pool or stream in sun or shade. If space is limited, consider one of the smaller cultivars or dwarf goatsbeard. Dwarf goatsbeard is also suitable for use in rock gardens or near the front of flower borders.
This low maintenance plant needs little care other than watering when the soil becomes dry. Cut back the stems back to just above ground-level in fall and apply a mulch of compost or well-rotted manure around the base of the plants (or in a woodland, allow the tree leaves to remain on the ground to decompose). Goatsbeard has no significant insect or disease problems and is reported to be deer resistant.
Propagating Goatsbeard
Propagate by division or from seed. To divide these rhizomatous plants, lift clumps in spring and cut the heavy rootstock with a sharp knife, leaving at least one eye per division. Fresh seed sown as soon as it is harvested on the surface of a warm seedbed should germinate in 2 to 3 weeks. Although goatsbeard self-seeds readily in the wild, germination may be slow and irregular in cultivation.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Reviewers: Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison Extension
Revised: September 2026
