Goats Beard in Hosta Garden

18 years ago

I need something to anchor the back of my woodland hosta garden. (pic is from last year). Looking for something back where the flag is right now.

It's fairly deep shade back there and have read that Goats Beard would be ok back there but may not bloom as profusely.

I've never planted this beauty before, but a neighbor 2 doors down has a couple of HUGE stands of it on the NE side of her house. It's just that that's more part-shade than full-shade.

Incidentally, what you see here is just a portion of what the garden currently looks like. This is the view of the back corner of my lot. The garden here is 30-40' wide, but now extends the entire length of the backyard (100'). The firepit was removed, some of the hostas have been re-located and now (right where that tree shoots up the middle of the pic) we have a wooden playset blocking most of the view.... unfortunately, that was the best place we had to put the thing. :-(

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Comments (6)

jazzygardener
18 years ago
I've planted goats beard in my hosta garden and it looks great. Mine is in low light/shade and it's done good but, it was a little slow to get started. I like your garden. I have lots of hostas, astilbe, and ferns. Maybe we could swap sometime.
sjmarq
18 years ago
Mine performed poorly in full shade for 3 years. It didn't increase in size (number of stems) nor did it get very tall. Last year I moved it to mostly sunny and I am astounded at how big it's gotten in one season. I underestimated it and will have to relocate it again to give it more room.

If you are looking for an 'anchor' I would suggest moving away from a perrenial and look at shrubs. It will give more substance for longer season and you'll not have that portion of the season where you are waiting for the herbaceous to grow tall enough to provide the anchor look/feel.
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dbv10
18 years ago
I agree with sjmarg. I didn't have good luck with goatsbeard in the shade. I moved mine to a space that receives a couple hours of afternoon sun and now it looks more like a shrub ... beautiful!

Have you considered filling the space with an architectural item ... maybe a taller, iron oblisk for example? Or maybe a birdhouse? I think it would compliment your woodland garden.
thisismelissa
Original Author
18 years ago
Thank you for the suggestions.

I did try an iron obelisk last summer (prior to the flag) and you literally couldn't even see it cuz it blended into the surroundings too much... that's when I ended up with the flag.

I would love the birdhouse idea. In fact, when I watch "Gardening by the Yard", I always drool over the "bird condo" that Paul James has. But, since I'd have to dig a substantial hole to anchor the thing, and hubby is rather against that amount of work right now, it's just not happening.

I did, however, decide to put the Goat's Beard where it'd get at least a little bit more sun. I don't know how it'll do. I suppose time will tell.
dbv10
18 years ago
Good luck ... I think the garden looks really pretty!
trinityklm
18 years ago
I have a few Clethra 'Ruby Spice' in full shade on the north side of my house. While they take forever to wake up in the spring, they are really lovely shrubs. Perhaps a few of those along the back would look nice.

You have a beautiful garden!