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Anyone grown Aruncus dioicus?

PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
in Plants
I have a problem corner in my garden caused by my neighbours' inappropriate horse chestnut tree, where nothing will grow except ivy and horse chestnut seedlings. I planted Aruncus dioicus out from the corner to act as a large lovely screen. It is now in its second year, and looks healthy enough. BUT it is very small (c. 1ft high). Does anyone have experience? Is it slow to establish? I think it should be happy there (moist dappled shade) so maybe I am being my usual impatient self.

Thanks
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,134
    edited May 2022
    I had it in a previous garden but I took it out as I really didn't like it, and it wasn't in a very good site.
    I wouldn't expect it to be any great height at the stage yours is at. It'll need a couple more years, assuming the conditions suit it   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    @SlipperyElm thanks for the reassurance - I look forward to it taking off.

    @Fairygirl I love it! But that's the great thing about gardening, there's such a huge variety, something for every taste.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,134
    Indeed. We all like different things. I would probably like it better now, and would have a better spot for it too, when I didn't have that in the other garden.  :)
    Funnily enough, there's a small one which has very good autumn colour, and I've been debating getting it, for exactly that purpose. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 538
    My Aruncus grows really well here in damp Shropshire. Does yours have sufficient soil moisture. Tree roots can be very competitive.
  • WoodgreenWoodgreen Posts: 1,273
    edited May 2022
    Aruncus aethusifolius @Fairygirl.
    (My phone wants to make it Arthur's )
    I can thoroughly recommend it. Looks like a very neat astilbe, no vices, and as you say, striking autumn colour. I've had one for years and ought to divide it really and try it in other parts of the garden.
    Here it is today, been there about ten years and is 2 ft high, 3 ft across. Flower buds just forming now.

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,109
    edited May 2022
    We have both. A. diocius is a bit slow to establish as said. It really does need a lot of water to really grow. Ours is in the water shade of the Monkey Puzzle and I have to give it a good drink once a week just to stop it wilting. A aesthusifolius is a lot easier and self seeds for us. Never had any success splitting it though.
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    Mine's definitely in a damp spot - it is carefully positioned away from the hedge, the fence and the horse chestnut so it is not in a rain shadow. However, I will keep an eye on it and make sure to water if we have drought again. I try hard to get the right plant in the right place... I think I just need to be patient.
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,452
    been patient it will grow.


    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,452
    Close ups of Aruncus dioicus.
    Like an Astilbe on steroids.



    l



    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,160
    On good soil this must be enormous. It flowers at 5foot or more on my poor dry stuff


    In the sticks near Peterborough
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