Goats Beard {Aruncus dioicus} Showy Plumes | Perennial | Cutting Favorite | Patio Container | 100+ seeds Free Shipping! Goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus) is a medium-sized perennial valued for its showy plumes, dark green foliage, and tolerance for a variety of growing conditions. Goat's beard has a clump-forming growth habit with toothed, oval leaves. It produces feathery plumes of numerous tiny cream flowers in the late spring to early summer, which arch on spikes over the foliage. The species is dioecious, meaning it has distinct male and female plants. The male plants bear flower clusters that are more erect than those on female plants, and many gardeners find them more attractive. Female plants produce tiny brown seed pods that are toxic to people and animals.1 However, nurseries often don't label goat's beard plants as male or female, so you might have to wait until they're in bloom to know for sure. Goat's beard can be planted in the spring or fall and it has a moderate growth rate t hat can top out at 6 feet tall. Common Names Goat's beard, goatsbeard, buck's beard, bride's feathers Botanical Name Aruncus dioicus Family Rosaceae Plant Type Herbaceous, perennial Mature Size 4–6 ft. tall, 2–4 ft. wide Sun Exposure Full, partial Soil Type Moist, loamy Soil pH Acidic, neutral, alkaline Bloom Time Spring, summer Flower Color White Hardiness Zones 4–7 (USDA)