Aruncus is native to deciduous woodlands of eastern and central US as well as western Europe.

Characteristics of Aruncus dioicus or Goatsbeard

- Goatsbeard, Aruncus dioicus, is a North American perennial with feathery plumes of cream colored flowers in late spring or summer.
- It can group up to a height of about seven feet and looks wonderful. – It is a perennial plant.
- The flowers of this plant are tiny in size and are of white color.
- Ornamental sprays of tiny white flowers bloom briefly but spectacularly for two weeks in early summer.
- It also has a deep and strong root system, breaking more than one shovel quite easily.
- Each flower spray contains thousands of tiny blossoms which rise in loose blooms 6 to 10 inches above the foliage.
- The plants are either male or female; one plant does not contain both sexes.
- The male plants supposedly have showier flowers than female ones.
- Female plants produce tiny brown seed capsules, which are poisonous.

Growing Conditions for Aruncus Dioicus

- This plant prefers shade to part shade conditions. I have grown it out in sunshine and it performed well but the blooms didn’t hold on as long as their shaded counterparts.
- The leaves also tended to “burn” a bit in the sun if adequate water wasn’t available.
- This plant blooms in July with 4-5 foot tall plumes.
- The soil should be moist.
- They can be propagated by dividing established root clumps in the spring or fall.
- They tend to grow slowly the first few seasons. The wide-open spaces between young plants can be filled with annuals until the goatsbeard reaches its mature size.

This low maintenance plant needs little care other than watering when the soil becomes dry. Cut back the stems back to just above ground-level in fall and apply a mulch of compost or well-rotted manure around the base of the plant (or in a woodland, allow the tree leaves to remain on the ground to decompose). Goatsbeard has no significant insect or disease problems and is reported to be deer resistant.

The name Drumstick Allium aptly describes this group of onions having tall, thin stems, and tight knobs of bloom at the top, indeed looking like drumsticks. Onions in this group are primarily within Section Allium, the “type” section that defines the genus, although some onions in other sections may share the so-called “drumstick” appearance.

Characteristics of Blue Drumsticks

- The Allium ‘Blue Drumstick’, Allium, has unusual flax-blue flower heads, approximately 1 1/2″ in diameter.
- It is a low maintenance perennial, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season’s flowers.
- Blue Drumstick is resistant to deer and makes excellent cut flowers.
- It is easy to grow in any sunny, well-drained location.
- They should be planted in groups of ten or more.
- Divide mature clumps in August if areas become overcrowded.
- Blue Drumstick is ideal for containers, mass plantings, borders, and cut flowers.
- These plants are rabbit, squirrel, and deer resistant.
- The bloom period is of about 3 weeks and they bloom in late spring to early summer.

Conditions required for Blue Drumsticks to grow

- Blue drumstick should only be grown in full sunlight.
- Average to evenly moist conditions are best for its growth, but it will not tolerate standing water.
- It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt.
- It is highly tolerant of urban pollution.

‘Variegata’ is a more controlled and illuminating form of Giant Reed Grass, serving as a strong focal point in the landscape. This Giant Reed Grass has creamy yellow/white variegated foliage, but does not grow quite as large as the species. The same great impressive flowers and winter interest as species, just a different color.
A tall growing ornamental grass that will add an architectural touch to any planting scheme. Plants spread by underground rhizomes forming attractive leafy clumps that will make a bold statement at the back of border. The variety ‘Variegata’ has a broad yellow stripe along its leaves. Variegated forms are more tender than the plain green ones so plant in a sheltered spot away from strong winds. The flowers which appear in late autumn are purplish green and remain on the plant once growth dies back. Dormant canes are showy all winter.
Native to the Mediterranean region, giant reed has been widely introduced and is now common in many parts of the world, including the southern U.S. from California to Florida and northward on the East Coast to Maryland. It can be found growing on river banks and in ditches. Giant reed often is planted to control erosion on wet slopes and canal banks. It can be an invasive weed in tropical climates, clogging irrigation ditches and displacing native species in natural wetlands. Giant reed is not invasive in temperate regions.
Grasses are easy to grow, and adapts to most conditions & Giant reed grows best and gets largest with lots of water during the growing season. It thrives in soils that stay moist, and can even tolerate occasional standing water. Unlike most reeds, however, giant reed also does well in average garden soils, where it will not get as large nor spread as aggressively. It even tolerates drought. USDA Zones 6 – 11. Giant reed gets largest in frost-free climates where it grows to 20 ft (6.1 m) and stays evergreen. It dies to the ground in frosty areas, and may not flower, but it comes back in spring to get 10-12 ft (3-3.7 m) tall in a single growing season.
Feed once a year with a slow release fertilizer.