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Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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Posted by
westy1941 z5 NO IL (
cdwestg@att.net) on
Mon, Jul 5, 10 at 1:40
| Are the blooms supposed to be cut off after flowering? They of course look brown like Astilbe's blooms get when they're finished...but I wondered how cutting would affect growth, if at all. This is the first year and I'm finding they need to be constantly moist - a real challenge since they are at the top of a berm under pines (total shade).
Westy |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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| I usually cut them to the base. |
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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| I've never cut mine off and it hasn't affected them in terms of growth or vigor the following year. I think to cut or not is up to you. |
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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| Hmmmm....interesting. I thought if I cut they might put more 'energy' into growing stronger roots or something. I rather like the spent blooms. Thanks for the opinions....much appreciated. I love this plant. Westy |
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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I cut off the flowers because I think they are ugly. Dead brown and crisp...they don't keep a nice shape like astilbe or any of the coneflowers.
I cut back carefully to a stem joint and leave no stubs. Stubs=ugly May I suggest a substitute for aruncus: persicaria polymorphia aka polygonum polymorpha. It is very tall and has sturdier build than aruncus. The flowers shape isn't soft and droopy, but clearly upright. They begin maybe a couple of weeks later than aruncus but bloom three times as long: at least three weeks. And the blooms are very white, not off white. A grouping looks like a shrub.
I am sure some people won't think this is a "substitute" but for vertical, strong,and good profile when it's done blooming, it is a great plant. It is not a fast spreader like some of its cousins in the persicaria tribe If you can wait till next year, order from Brent and Becky's when its on sale in about early-mid June. half price and every thing I've ordered from them has lived. |
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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| Idabean - very interesting! I've never seen this plant but have heard the name 'Giant Fleeceflower' somewhere. I just did a Google search so saw some great pics. Not sure it would work in the total shade where I have the Aruncus mixed in with hosta but it's worth a shot. I also have a couple other spots I've been stumped about what to plant. This looks perfect! Thank you so much. And also for the vendor suggestion! Westy |
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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| My Persicaria polymorpha grows about 6 feet tall and nearly 12 feet wide from a rather small footprint. It blooms from late May into early August. While I love it, it's a massive plant and should not be considered a replacement for little Aruncus. It's also in full sun. |
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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| my persicaria is only three years old and an individual plant is 2.5 feet wide. I can't wait until its 12 feet! And my aruncus is 4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide. I guess time will tell whether if works where aruncus is disappointing. Wouldn't you agree even if it is not a substitute it is a great garden flower on its own merits? Marie |
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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I second the view that persicaria polymorpha isn't a real substitute for goatsbeard which has a softer form and isn't so agressive. Unless you have a really big sunny border, the persicaria is going to overwhelm its neighbors. Mine is about 5 years old and for several years I have been trimming off hunks in the spring and giving away--it's still about 8 feet in each direction.
I think it's going to go next spring, even though it is dramatic.
zone5rose |
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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| I adore my P. polymorpha. It's in a very large bed with other huge plants like Eupatoriums, Coreopsis tripteris, Persicaria 'Crimson Beauty', Aster tartaricus, and several large shrubs. |
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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I just bought the Aruncus X Dioicus (sylvester)
the tag description denotes it's texture as feather-like plumes. I think that's the male specie.
The female I read is a cream flowered plume.
Does anyone know if they differ in needs? Thanks |
RE: Goatsbeard (Aruncus) Question
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| The needs of the plant do not differ. Males are said to have the most attractive flowers. |
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