This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Looking after an Aruncus
Passionate
Posts: 225
in Plants
I have just purchased an Aruncus Dioicus, and I'm really excited about this plant. I saw it in the gardens of the hotel we stayed at (in the Uk) and loved it.
i have read up on how to grow it which seems quite straightforward but it's the location in my garden that I'm unsure of ? I have a large garden which is a west facing garden so each side shares the sun at different times of the day.
i know it will become a large plant and I have the room also propagation can restrict it in the future but I'm wondering if anyone has this plant and could give me any advice on how much sun to shade? and can share any tips that would help my success growing it. Thankyou
0
Posts
Your Aruncus will be quite happy with the position of your garden. They will be happy in either sun or part shade - they are not too picky. They love damp soil of either clay or loam. They are quite tough and do not worry about being either sheltered or exposed. I bet it will look super with the wind blowing through those lovely flower heads.
Last edited: 11 July 2016 15:11:30
They are lovely plants. I have one that was mature when I moved in almost 30 years ago and it is still going strong. It is in shade with clay soil that stays damp.
hi Posy and Ladybird 4
thank you both for your quick reply, your advice is most welcome, and makes me even more excited about the plant.
i will take time to consider were I plant it so that the wind does catch those lovely flower heads.
thanks again
?
Ours is huge and in full sun in silty loam. The roots are shaded though by other plants and it does get lots of water when the pond next to it overflows.
If you want a smaller version of it for a well drained spot in sun then look out for Aruncus aesthusifolius.
Berghill, thankyou, I did read that it likes to be near water, and yours sounds very happy, they sound like great plants to have so I'm very pleased about that.
i will pass the info regarding the smaller types onto my sister whose garden isn't quite as big as mine as she always likes my choice of plants, great. ?
Astilbes are often known as False Goat's Beard because of the similarity. Just thought I'd throw that in
I inherited one in the garden round the corner from here. It was in a southeast facing spot and in clay which never dried out thoroughly. I don't think it's a particularly popular plant nowadays, although I may be totally wrong about that.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've come into this conversation late in the day...I'm going to get an aruncus to part fill a spot that will be left when we take out the photinia. I had a beautiful one in Canada. They will grow in any soil, and face any direction and look absolutely spectacular when mature and in full bloom. When dead-headed, the plant maintains a nice shape and dies back for the winter (I cut it off at ground level in November). If you tour the Norwegian Fjords in late June you'll see them in just about every garden. All I have to do now is wait until I find someone who can sell me one (as it's almost flowering season, I think I'm a little late this year but we'll see!)
If you know anyone who has one you could cut a chunk off in Spring. I don't know where you are but if you are ever on the Isle of Wight I'll give you a piece of my plant.
I've always assumed aruncus need damp soil and my RHS book says 'moist ground' ... but having read Lydia-ann's post I googled and some sites state that it's best in 'well-drained soil'.
How 'well-drained' can they take?
Last edited: 27 May 2017 16:20:53
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Mine are in damp shade, Dove.