Aruncus Aethusifolius
Three years ago we came across a short variety of Aruncus named Aethusifolius
Aruncus! previously my first thought would turn to the Aruncus Dioicus (goatsbeard) flowering plant which we had in the garden a few years ago. Dioicus is a tall plant growing to a height of 6ft with elegant creamy white plumes in June.
Lets forget about that one for the time being. Three years ago we came across a short variety, Aruncus Aethusfolius, what a little gem it has turned out to be. Terrific at the front of the border in a semi shaded position. The green finely cut fern like leaves are in themselves very ornamental, and the charming white panicles of flowers in June/July make it a very worthwhile garden perennial.
We have a couple of these plants in our back garden and more recently added two of them to the back border of the front garden. This area is almost fully north facing, well the sun doesn’t get to the border until early afternoon. The Aruncus is thriving in this position.
Aruncus Aethusifolius at either side of the Aucuba Variegata, the Aucuba of course will have to be kept in check.
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Truly a plant for Spring, Summer and Autumn. See how good it looks in the third week of September.
Height – 35cm/13″
Position – full sun to full shade
Hardiness – fully hardy perennial
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We so often hear how we should plant perennials in drifts, or at least have three of the same plant to make an impact. Well, we have tried this in the past, problem is, we have always wanted so many different types of plants we found our garden just wasn’t large enough to accommodate such mass planting.
Can the garden still look good even if your borders are a bit of a hotchpotch regarding planting? Well, what we have done in the main borders of our back garden is…… In the front area of the main border which is about 15ft in depth in total, we have created a bit of formality. We have three evergreen trees Taxus Baccata Robusta which looks good all year round, we also have two Taxus Yew balls which adds to the formality. Slightly further forward there are three brown grasses (Carex Buchananii) which don’t necessarily look so good on their own, but surrounded with other plants do indeed look quite pleasing, almost like waterless fountains. Add to this two flower carpet Amber Roses, and at the very front of the border a row of annual planting, I think you may agree this touch of formality seems to hold it together in such a way that makes it pleasingly acceptable.
The border running up the path in the back garden also has formality with the planting of Box topiary.
The two pictures above of the main area of our back garden, just to give an idea of what I am talking about, and the one below showing part of the east facing border.
If you happen to leave a comment I will be sure to visit your site and do the same
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Hi! I love your gardens! Could you list the names of all of your plants in your back garden around the dwarf goats beard? Thank you!
The dwarf aruncus does well in a north facing position
Astilbe
Astrantia
Brunnera
Skimmia Rubella
Pots with Begonia
Although our back garden is North facing the large border is far enough away from the house to give a decent amount of sunshine.
I have very little gardening experience, and I’ve been trying to find something to make my north facing front flower bed look better than the barren wasteland of small hostas that it currently is. Would you tell me what other plants you have in the flower bed on your north facing garden? It’s beautiful!
Thank you for the great idea for my front bed. I have been hunting for just the right addition.
I have just discovered your website. Your garden is amazing!. I live in Portland, Oregon and believe our climates are similar. I am going to use some of your ideas.
So excited to find you.
I would be surprised to see this plant in the wild.
I htink I may have just found something very similar to this growing wild – I scoured the internet and your pictures look encouragingly like the one I took. I do hope I’m right!
Yes catmint, we should all do just what pleases us.
Goats beard – never heard of it but looks like a great way to fill a gap. Re the advice that we should plant at least 3 of everything – there should be no shoulds (except this one) – your garden is lovely and expresses your vision.
Thanks for the visit and kind comments Jennifer. The jungle effect also has its place.
Hi Alistair,
A garden can teach you things about yourself. For instance, I have learned that I prefer symmetry to asymmetry. There is just something I like when a shape, whether it is a plant pot on a pedestal, or pompom of grass has a visual echo. I see you find repeated shapes and colors pleasing as well.
Your garden is so neat and tidy. It puts my jungle to shame! That little bit of formality helps give the whole a great sense of order.
I have both forms of goatsbeard. The larger form can be a bit monstrous in scale. It is definitely not for the small garden. Aruncus Aethusifolius is newer to my garden. I am already a fan.
Yes Ginny, I think starting with evergreens is very wise.
Masha, perhaps the cool Summers help to prevent plants from running wild.
Andrea, just call us Posh and Becks (not) our garden is really not so very grand.
Yes Laura, this is a short variety and only grows to a height of 35cm.
False Goatsbeard is one of those plants I have always wanted and could grow! Saw one at Kew that must have been 6 feet – is yours a miniversion or will it block out the Astilbes which are complementary companions? Formatlity at the front and more wayward at the back is a neat way of maintaining an orderly border – rather like when I clean up and throw things into cupboards out of sight
A lot of people must see your garden. It should be open to other gardeners to source some inspiration. In this country that style only happens with resorts and gardens of the rich and famous, haha! If i am just near i hope i can always visit and take photos.
Your garden looks incredible! How do you manage to make everything so neat and trim?? I too consider myself a plant collector more than a garden designer, so I tend to have one of each plant, and drifts are impossible for lack of space. You have been much more restrained though, and you are right, repetitions of the same plant do bring a border together and make a bigger impact…
Alistair, I agree with Donna that the evergreens give a beautiful structure to your garden – and it is all beautiful. I also love the goatsbeard and will look for it to add to my new shade garden.
We started our garden with evergreens and build around them as we wanted to be certain to have something to enjoy in the dead of winter.
Yes Carolyn, the goatsbeard is a great plant, mass planting does indeed look very good.
Thanks Cathy, this Goats beard does have amazing foliage.
Thanks Donna, I think we would be lost without our gardens.
Hi Esther it has been an ever changing garden from the word go. It is difficult to judge the size of our garden, the back garden is made up of four separate gardens with two or three other nooks and crannies.
Thanks for dropping by Nell Jean, your observations are always welcome.
Your garden is a delight to behold. One or two of a plant works where you have an eye for placement and colors. Aruncus does not grow here but it is a pleasure to see it growing in yours.
I find it difficult to work out the size of your garden. Sometimes it seems small and sometimes very large, depending on the angle.
It’s clever how you’ve tied two very different styles together – and that you’ve managed to grade the size of plants too – not easy unless you buy them all at the right stage of growth on the same day!
Esther
Alistair, I so love looking at your garden…you picked another winner in aruncus. lovely form…I love the formality of your garden…I think you have nailed it as we say here…the evergreens give it beautiful structure so you can highlight all the lovely plants…well done!!
Oh, Alistair, WOW!!! I LOVE it! Yes, perfection!
I also love your Goat’s Beard. I have that same one growing with white, deep rose, and pale mauve astilbe. It’s a wonderful combination! I will say though, that the Goat’s Beard has made a beautiful ground cover in some areas of the garden… it’s spread like crazy and we are enjoying it!
I love dwarf goatsbeard. It looks like moss when it emerges in the spring and turns orange in the fall–great plant. I am a fan of massing, but the first principle for any home gardener should be do what you like and makes you happy–the heck with the rules. However, if someone isn’t happy with the effect of their plants, massing can help.
Janet, thank you so very much for the visit and your detailed observations.
Hi Alistair, I like the look of your Aruncus aethusifolius, could be invaluable in a shady spot and those leaves would look wonderful alongside e.g. hostas or the “smoother” leaved ferns. I know I’ve come across it before, but I had managed to completely forget about it. Having looked it up and seen it will cope with even dry shade, I hope I don’t forget about it again!
As to the “plantaholic” approach (lots of different plants) vs the drifts and blocks, I think you are right, the formality of the evergreens plus the immaculate lawn and edging gives structure to show off your plant collection. Personally I find I am veering more and more towards the fewer different plants but of more of each approach, and lack the attention to detail to make your kind of detail work for me (though I think FIL would find you a kindred spirit). But that’s the joy of gardening, the rich diversity of it all. Thank you for showing the context in which you garden, it helps to make sense of everything.
Amanda, I think enthusiasm is most important of all.
Wow…I aspire to have a neat and tidy garden….but it just isn’t to be….My astilbe’s are just about coming into bloom now…I am an enthusiast like you.
Thank you bumble lush, hope you return soon.
I think your garden looks amazing! You’ve arranged the plants nicely and the wide variety makes it really interesting.
Thank you p3chandan, always an on going task to get things right.
Thank you Bridget, always good to have been of some assistance.
Your garden is absolutely gorgeous, lovely full borders which I love. Like that Goatsbeard, I saw that recently and did’nt know what it was, you have answered that question for me.
You have such a beautiful garden, with so many new flowering plants I havent heard before. Love your neat flower beds and just about enough plants planted there, that dont seem too wild or over-crowded.
b-a-g, I suspect that your interest in gardening will always be with you.
I don’t know about perfect Larry, but we do enjoy it.
Your gardens certainly are the medal of perfection! Larry
Alistair – I see you kept your promise to show the context of your plants, and I’m glad you did. I understand what you’re saying about “formality seems to hold it together”. Your “main border” is probably better described as a spectacular display garden. My ultimate aim is to have plants flowering around the garden at all times of the year – I think it’s possible in London but it will take several years to develop. I hope I have a staying power like yours to achieve this.