Aruncus dioicus
I am always on the lookout for perennials which do well in pots Aruncus dioicus is definitely one of them
Here it is below absolutely thriving in a plant pot and positioned in the border of our back garden in Cheshire.
Aruncus Dioicus reached a height of about 5ft in our garden, although it can grow taller. It certainly makes a statement in the garden border, the large leaves completely hiding the pot.
The plumes of Aruncus resemble those of the Astilbe. I had made up my own mind years ago that they came from the same family. Not the case, Astilbe is in the family of saxifrage whilst Aruncus is in the Rosaceae family.
This clump-forming hardy perennial is quick to establish and will grow well in a semi-shaded position. Aruncus is not too fussy about soil type as long as it is free draining. This plant in our Aberdeen garden always flowered well, however, most years the foliage was devoured by some leaf-eating insect.
Quick read details
• Hardiness – fully hardy perennial
• Position – full sun/partial shade
• Height – up to 180cm/6ft
• Soil – any reasonable moist free draining garden soil, neutral/acid/alkaline
• Flowers and leaves – panicles of creamy white flowers/mid green pinnate leaves
• Propagation – Lift and divide in Autumn
• Common name – false goatsbeard
________________________
Perennials which grow well in pots
Are you having difficulty finding space in the borders for adding more perennials? Growing them in pots, placing them here there and everywhere may be just for you. I have heard it said that you can grow any perennial in a pot, well in my experience some do better than others. The plants below at one time or another I have grown successfully in pots. The only challenging aspect is getting the watering regime correct.
Starting off with Hellebore-Party-dress
Veronica spicata ulster blue
This Veronica grew very well in our Cheshire garden in pots and in the border. In Aberdeen, it did not come through the winter, try overwintering in the unheated greenhouse
Heuchera Paris
Heuchera is one of those perennials which are just ideal for pots
Leucanthemum-Angel
Shorter than many of the Leucanthemums Angel is just perfect for a pot.
Hemerocallis (Day Lily) another of those perennials widely known for doing well in pots.
Sedum Autumn Joy
The bees and butterflies love it and it grows well in a pot. Choose a decent size heavy container.
lavender-angustifolia-blue-cushion
Calla lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
In Cheshire the Calla Lily grew in the border of the front garden. We also had it in Aberdeen where it was necessary to grow it in a pot where it could be overwintered in the unheated greenhouse.
Hardy Geranium Beholders eye
Most hardy Geraniums will grow in a pot, beholders eye did particularly well.
Nepeta-Nervosa-Blue-Moon
Astilbe-red-sentinel
The flowering period of Astilbe may not be as long as some of the perennials. I wouldn’t be without it though, border or pot.
Most Ferns thrive and last for a good number of years without having to repot. One Fern which I don’t have much success growing in a container is Hart’s tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium.
Pulmonaria-Blue-Ensign
Tiarella-Iron-Butterfly
Tiarella, an evergreen woodlander which will grow well in a semi shade position. In harsher Winters the leaves may well start to look a bit tatty, soon recovering in Spring.
Hosta Halcyon
Of all the perennial plants which happen to be happy enough growing in pots, Hosta is the best of them all.
Oriental-Lily-After-Eight
I have grown Lilies in pots for many years. I think the shorter ones are best suited. If you want them to be strongly perfumed, go for the Orientals.
Aruncus-aethusifolius
In the border or in a pot Aruncus-aethusifolius receives more attention in my blog than any other plant which I have profiled. It was posted seven years ago nothing exceptional about the post, yet still getting a massive amount of hits compared to any other post. Is it an alphabetical thing? and yet, I can hardly see google favouring the post for that reason. Aruncus aethusifolius
Always good to hear from you Nadezda, have a good week also.
Aruncus is a lovely plant, Alistair. I’d love to have it in my garden, so will buy seedlings next year. Where will I plant it? perhaps in a border, in semi-sunny place. I’d love to grow in tubs some plants you showed, as Calla and Leucanthemum, they are beautiful.
Have a nice new week!
Hope it works for you, I can imagine it in your woodland area.
I just fell in love with your Aruncus dioicus; now I have to do some research and see how it may do for me and if I can find it. Aruncus-aethusifolius really does look a lot like astilbe.
Hi Pauline
If Mulching fails your Zantedeschia, try growing it in a pot
Aruncus dioicus is a lovely plant, I’ve tried it in the ground a couple of times but it doesn’t seem to like it here, I think my soil is too wet, if you say that it likes to be well drained. I did have a huge clump of Zantedescia until the Beast from the East got it last winter, I will certainly try again, but will remember to mulch it in future.