Product Description
Aruncus 'Misty Lace' PP15798 (30)ct Flat
Common Name: Goat's Beard
Misty Lace' is the perfect size Goat's Beard - intermediate in height between its parents, A. aesthusifolius and A. dioicus. This seedling was selected by Dr. Allan Armitage of the University of Georgia for its remarkable tolerance of the hot, humid summers in the south. This is the best Goat's Beard for southern states (heat tolerant at least to zone 7, possibly warmer), but it is also very cold hardy to zone 3.
In early summer, large, creamy white, feathery plumes are produced on dark red stems atop compact mounds of astilbe-like foliage. The effect is similar to that of a large astilbe and it can be used in a similar manner in the landscape. Planted en masse, the effect is simply stunning!
Though Aruncus tends to be a slow-grower the first couple of seasons, once it is established it puts on a fabulous show year after year. Make sure it has plenty of room to grow when you first plant it; transplanting this species is a very difficult task. This species is native to North America.
Goat's Beard grows best in moist, humus-rich soils. In northern climates, it can be grown in full sun if provided with adequate moisture. In southern zones, however, it prefers partial or full shade. When grown in deep shade, plants tend to have a more open habit and bloom sparsely. Insects and diseases don't seem to bother this plant.
Height: 3.0-3.5 Feet
Spread: 18.0-24.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7
Flower Color: White Shades
Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun) to Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer to Midsummer
Bee Friendly
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Mass Planting
Aruncus 'Misty Lace', commonly known as Goat's Beard 'Misty Lace', is a captivating and adaptable perennial that brings a touch of elegance and resilience to any garden. This comprehensive guide explores the unique characteristics, cultivation needs, and diverse landscape applications of this remarkable plant, offering valuable insights for gardening enthusiasts of all levels.
Aruncus 'Misty Lace' is a patented (PP#15,798) interspecific hybrid resulting from a cross between Aruncus dioicus and Aruncus aethusifolius, developed by Allan Armitage. This cross has resulted in a plant with an intermediate habit between the two species making it the perfect size for smaller gardens. It is known for its exceptional hardiness, thriving in USDA zones 3 to 7. 'Misty Lace' exhibits a compact and upright growth habit typically reaching 1.5 to 2 feet in height and spread, with medium leaf texture. This deciduous perennial has a moderate growth rate.
One of the most notable features of 'Misty Lace' is its tolerance to both heat and humidity, making it one of the best Goat's Beard varieties for southern climates. It boasts showy, rich-green, fern-like foliage on red stems, complemented by delicate, creamy white flowers. The airy, white flower panicles bloom from late spring to early summer, extending into mid-summer. These blossoms rise well above the foliage mound on elongate terminal and axillary panicles, each reaching up to 7 inches long. Even after the flowers fade, the handsome foliage and arching seedheads persist, providing multi-season interest and extending its ornamental value into winter.
'Misty Lace' is also a beneficial addition to the garden ecosystem, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is deer-resistant and rabbit resistant, adding to its low-maintenance nature.
Compared to other Goat's Beard varieties, 'Misty Lace' stands out due to its compact size and exceptional hardiness. For instance, Aruncus dioicus, one of its parent plants, can reach a towering height of 6 feet, while Aruncus aethusifolius, the other parent, is much smaller, reaching only about 1 foot tall. 'Misty Lace' strikes a balance between these two, offering a manageable size for various garden settings.
Growing Conditions Aruncus 'Misty Lace' thrives in moist, fertile, organically rich soils with a pH of 6-7.5. It prefers moist woodland settings and can tolerate some standing water. While adaptable to various light conditions, from full sun to full shade its ideal light requirements vary depending on the climate. In northern regions, it performs well in full sun with consistent moisture, while in southern zones, partial or full shade is preferable, especially during the hottest summer months. When grown in deep shade, plants tend to have a more open habit and bloom less profusely. It is important to note that 'Misty Lace' can be slow to establish, but once established, it is long-lived. This plant is also somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. It prefers normal, clay, acidic soil.
Care and Maintenance Caring for Aruncus 'Misty Lace' is relatively straightforward. Consistent watering is essential, especially during the first growing season and in hot, dry periods. Applying a thick layer of mulch around the root zone helps conserve soil moisture and suppress weed growth.
While generally not necessary, pruning can enhance the plant's appearance and promote bushier growth. Faded flower stalks should be cut back after flowering. Trimming spent flowers in midsummer may even stimulate rebloom. If desired, more extensive pruning can be done in early spring before new growth emerges or in late fall after the first frost.
Although 'Misty Lace' is fairly pest and disease free, it can be susceptible to leaf spot. It can be propagated by division, but this can be challenging due to its tough roots. As a cultivated variety, it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Companion Plants To create visually appealing and harmonious garden designs, consider pairing Aruncus 'Misty Lace' with companion plants that complement their texture, color, and growth habit. Some suitable companions include:
- Geranium x magnificum (Purple Cranesbill): The vibrant purple flowers of Purple Cranesbill provide a striking contrast to the creamy white plumes of 'Misty Lace'.
- Stachys byzantina (Lamb's Ears): The soft, silvery foliage of Lamb's Ears creates a textural contrast and complements the fern-like leaves of 'Misty Lace'.
- Veronicastrum virginicum 'Album' (Culver's Root): The tall, white flower spikes of Culver's Root add vertical interest and echo the white blooms of 'Misty Lace'.
Landscape Uses Aruncus 'Misty Lace' is a versatile plant that can enhance various garden settings. Its adaptability to different light conditions and soil types allows for creative placement within the landscape.
- Borders and Beds: 'Misty Lace' adds texture and height to borders, creating a soft and flowing effect that complements other perennials.
- Woodland Gardens: Its shade tolerance and delicate plumes make it a perfect fit for woodland settings, where it adds a touch of ethereal beauty amidst ferns and hostas.
- Water Gardens: Thriving in moist environments, 'Misty Lace' is an excellent choice for planting near ponds or streams, adding a touch of elegance to water features.
- Mass Plantings: When planted en masse, 'Misty Lace' creates a stunning visual impact with its abundance of feathery plumes, making a bold statement in the landscape.
- Containers: Its compact size makes it suitable for container gardening, adding a touch of elegance to patios and decks.
- Groundcover: 'Misty Lace' can be used as a groundcover in shady areas, providing a lush carpet of foliage.
- Hedges/Screening: Its dense growth habit makes it suitable for use as a hedge or screen, providing privacy and defining garden spaces.
- General Garden Use: 'Misty Lace' is a versatile plant that can be incorporated into various garden designs, adding texture, color, and interest.
- Rock Gardens: Its ability to thrive in well-drained soil makes it a suitable addition to rock gardens, where it can cascade over rocks and add a touch of softness.
- Open Woodland Gardens: 'Misty Lace' can be used to create a naturalistic look in open woodland gardens, blending seamlessly with the surrounding trees and shrubs.
- Shade Gardens: Its shade tolerance makes it a valuable asset in shade gardens, where it can brighten up dark corners and add visual interest.
- Pond or Stream Margins: 'Misty Lace' thrives in moist environments and can be planted along the margins of ponds or streams, adding beauty, and softening the edges of water features.
- Backdrop Plant: In shade gardens, 'Misty Lace' can serve as a great backdrop for shorter shade-loving perennials, creating layers of texture and interest.
- Combination Containers: Its versatility allows it to be used in combination containers with other perennials, adding height and texture to container arrangements.
- Informal and Cottage Gardens: 'Misty Lace' complements the relaxed and naturalistic style of informal and cottage gardens, adding a touch of wild beauty.
- Traditional Gardens: Its elegant plumes and classic form make it a suitable addition to traditional gardens, adding a touch of sophistication.
- Pollinator-Friendly Gardens: 'Misty Lace' attracts pollinators, making it a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly gardens designed to support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
- Native Gardens: While not a native plant itself, 'Misty Lace' can be incorporated into native gardens to add variety and complement native species.
- Prairie Plantings: Its adaptability to full sun and moist conditions makes it a suitable addition to prairie plantings, where it can blend with grasses and other prairie plants.
- Summer Gardens: 'Misty Lace' provides long-lasting summer interest with its attractive foliage and extended bloom time.
- Spring Gardens: Its early to mid-summer bloom time makes it a welcome addition to spring gardens, adding a touch of elegance as the garden awakens.
- Casual Borders: 'Misty Lace' can be used to create casual borders with a relaxed and naturalistic feel, blending seamlessly with other perennials.
- Long-Lasting Summer Gardens: Its long bloom time and attractive foliage make it a good choice for long-lasting summer gardens that provide continuous color and interest.
- Glowing Prairie Plantings: 'Misty Lace' can add a touch of elegance to glowing prairie plantings, its white plumes contrasting beautifully with the warm colors of prairie grasses and flowers.
- Lovely Spring Border: 'Misty Lace' can be incorporated into a lovely spring border, its delicate plumes adding a touch of charm to the early season garden.
- Sunny to Partially Shady Areas: 'Misty Lace' thrives in sunny to partially shady areas, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of garden locations.
- Extending the Range in the Southeast: 'Misty Lace' is a perfect choice for gardeners in the southeastern US who want to grow Goat's Beard but have struggled with other varieties due to the heat and humidity.
- Night Gardens: The white plumes of 'Misty Lace' can add a touch of luminosity to night gardens, their delicate beauty catching the moonlight.
- White Gardens: 'Misty Lace' is a perfect addition to white gardens, its creamy white plumes blending seamlessly with other white-flowering plants.
Aruncus 'Misty Lace' is a truly exceptional perennial that embodies beauty, resilience, and adaptability. Its captivating plumes, lush foliage, and low-maintenance nature make it a favorite among gardeners. Whether gracing a woodland garden, adding elegance to a water feature, or creating a stunning border display, 'Misty Lace' enhances the aesthetic appeal of any landscape. With its ability to thrive in diverse conditions and its long-lasting ornamental value, Aruncus 'Misty Lace' is a must-have for any gardener seeking to add a touch of elegance and resilience to their landscape.
Thirty (30) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 3in deep x 2in wide.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
