Aruncus

Closely related to Filipendulas and Spiraeas, Aruncus are a genus of perennials with very few species. They are best known for their handsome mounds of heavily veined dark-green leaves, topped by feathery plumes of tiny pinkish, white or cream flowers.

The flowers that form the plumes may be either male or female, and it is the female plumes that produce the small green seed pods, which will liberally scatter seed at the end of the season if not deadheaded.

Both the plumes of flowers and seed-heads are popular for indoor flower arrangements.

Thriving in moist soil, Aruncus are at home at the edge of ponds or in damp woodland.

Varieties: -


Aruncus. aethusifolius	Form: Rhizomatous hummock forming perennial Height: 12in (30cm) Spread: 12in + (30cm +) Foliage: Deep green, fern-like, pinnate leaves, turning a beautiful red during autumn. Flowers: racemes of white flowers in late spring.

Aruncus. dioicus	Form: Rhizomatous hummock forming perennial Height: 6ft (2m) Spread: 4ft (1.2m) Foliage: Semi-erect large leaves, with lance-shaped leaflets on long elegant stems. Mostly cauline, less than 60 cm, 2 to 3 pinnate; leaflets 3 to 5 cm, ovate, sharply serrate, more or less hairy Flowers: In mid-summer, rising above the mound of leaves, branching plumes of tiny creamy-white flowers are produced. Inflorescence in a panicle, 0.5-3.5in (1-8cm) long; 5 sepals; petals 1 to 2 mm, white to pale yellow; staminate flower with 15 to 30 stamens, exerted; pistillate flower with 3 pistils and short styles

Aruncus. dioicus 'Kneiffii'	Form: Rhizomatous hummock forming perennial Height: 3ft (1m) Spread: 20in (50cm) Foliage: Deeply cut feathery leaves, with lanceolate leaflets on long delicate stems Flowers: In mid-summer branching plumes of creamy-white flowers are held above the hummock of leaves

Aruncus. sylvester	Form: Rhizomatous hummock forming perennial Height: 3-6ft (1-2m) Spread: 20in-4ft (50cm-1.2m) Foliage: Large pinnate compound leaves Flowers: Creamy plumes of flowers held on branching stems in late spring to mid-summer. A good waterside plant, preferring full to partial shade, and regular watering in dry conditions.