Dwarf goat’s beard

Dwarf goat’s beard: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Dense, low clump 20–30 cm tall and 30–40 cm wide.

Leaves

Several times divided and finely cut, glossy dark green; yellow, orange or reddish brown in autumn.

Flower

Upright, branched plumes of tiny creamy white flowers in June–July, just above the leaves.

Fruit

After flowering the plumes turn rusty brown and carry small, dry seeds.

Roots

A compact, slightly woody rootstock with fine roots; no runners.

Flowering: June–July · Plants: March–April and September–October · Pruning: March and August

Why grow it?

• Fine, fern-like foliage that looks good from spring to autumn.
• Creamy white plumes in June–July that bring light to a dark corner.
• Small size: it fits at the front of a shady border, in a partly shaded rock garden or in a large pot.
• Lovely autumn colour and rusty brown seed heads that stand well into winter.
• Planted in groups, it forms a dense ground cover that gives weeds little chance.
• Fully hardy and low-maintenance.

Dwarf goat’s beard: where does it grow best?

• Partial or light shade; in full sun the leaves scorch quickly if the soil dries out.
• Humus-rich loam or clay, acid to neutral, that stays moist all year.
• Moist to wet: a damp border or the edge of a pond is ideal, as long as water does not stand.
• Plant it at the front of the border or along a path, where you can see the fine foliage well.
• Allow 30–35 cm between plants, about 7–9 per m² as ground cover.

Light

Partial shade and shade

Soil type

Loam or clay

Acidity

Acid or neutral

Moisture

Normal or wet

Size

0.3 m tall, 0.4 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -30 °C)

Goes well with

• Hosta: Large, broad leaves next to the fine, fern-like foliage.
• Ferns: A fresh, green combination of fine foliage in the shade.
• Barrenwort: An evergreen ground cover for the same spot.
• Coral bells: Red, bronze or lime foliage next to the dark green.
• Japanese forest grass: A golden, arching grass that makes a lovely contrast.

Dwarf goat’s beard: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–April and September–October.

1. Plant in March–April or in September–October, when the ground is not frozen.
2. Mix a few spadefuls of compost or leaf mould into the soil.
3. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot.
4. Set the plant at the same depth as it was in the pot, with the buds at the base just at soil level.
5. Water generously straight away and keep the soil moist for the first few weeks.
6. Mulch with leaf mould to keep the soil cool and moist.

Care

Watering

Keep the soil moist. In dry spells, especially in the first summer, give a good soak once a week.

Feeding

In March–April, a layer of compost or well-rotted manure around the clump.

Mulching

A layer of leaf mould every spring; a thin layer of fallen tree leaves can stay in place in autumn.

Faded flowers

Leave the brown plumes as a winter silhouette, or cut them off in August for a fresher look.

Support

Not needed: the low plumes stay firmly upright.

Tip: Plant it in a group of three to five at the front of the border: that is where the fine foliage really comes into its own. Keep the soil moist in summer, because in dry weather the leaves quickly get brown edges.

Dwarf goat’s beard: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March and August.

When: In March, cut away the old, dead foliage. You can remove the faded plumes in August, but you do not have to.

How:

• In March, cut the dead leaves and old stems just above the ground, before the new leaves appear.
• If you do not want seed, cut the plumes back to the foliage after flowering.
• If you leave them, they decorate the border well into winter.

Caution: Cut carefully in spring: the new buds sit right at ground level.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In March or September, lift the clump and cut it with a sharp spade or knife into pieces with buds; the rootstock is slightly woody. Replant straight away and water in.

Seed

In autumn, scatter ripe seed on a pot of moist seed compost, do not cover it and leave the pot outdoors; it usually germinates in spring. Seedlings may differ a little from the parent.

Dwarf goat’s beard: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −30 °C.

• Fully hardy, to about −30 °C: no protection is needed in Belgium.
• The leaves die back in autumn; the plant overwinters as buds at or just below the surface.
• In a pot: stand the pot against a wall and keep the compost slightly moist, but not wet.

Diseases and pests

• Brown leaf edges: A sign of drought or too much sun. Water, mulch or move the plant to a shadier spot.
• Slugs: They eat the young leaves in spring. Pick them off in the evening; hedgehogs, frogs and birds lend a hand.
• Few flowers: In deep shade or poor soil it flowers less. Add compost and, if possible, give it a little more light.
• Struggling under trees: Tree roots dry out the soil. Water in dry weather and mulch generously every year.

Through the year

• March: Cut away old foliage. Plant or divide. Add compost.
• April: New leaves emerge. Mulch. Watch out for slugs.
• May: Water in dry weather.
• June: Flowering begins.
• July: Full flower. Water in dry weather.
• August: Cut off the faded plumes or leave them standing.
• September: Plant or divide. Collect seed.
• October: Autumn colour. Planting.
• November: The foliage dies back and can stay until March.

Did you know?

• It looks very much like a small astilbe, but belongs to the rose family, along with spiraea and meadowsweet.
• The species name aethusifolius means ‘with leaves like Aethusa’, fool’s parsley, because of the finely cut foliage.
• Crosses with the large goat’s beard (Aruncus dioicus) have produced medium-sized cultivars such as ‘Horatio’.