Goat's Beard

Goats Beard (Astilbe) - A vigorous group of chiefly tall-branching herbaceous perennials. The robust kinds resemble the Spiraeas of the Aruncus group, but are bolder, and perhaps better suited for the margin of water. There are eight kinds in cultivation, the best known of which are A. japonica and A. rivularis. Moist places in the wild garden are most suitable for A. decandra, A. rivularis, A. rubra, A. Lemoinei, and A. Thunbergi, the last being also known as Spiraea. These plants group well, and the handsome foliage makes healthy undergrowth, over which the tall plumes of white or red flowers tower with good effect. The new hybrid Astilbes, raised by crossing A. Davidii and other species, are important gains, and may be used with good effect, particularly in cool or moist situations where a rich soil obtains. Their habit is that of an enlarged A. japonica, both in foliage and flower, the chief colors being pink, rose, salmon, and carmine. They are of a uniform height of 3 feet. Ceres, rosylilac; Gloria, rich rose; Kriemhilde, salmon; opal, purplish-pink; Siegfried, carmine; Venus, rosy-purple; Queen Alexandra, pink; and Salmon Queen, are a selection of the best. Division of the roots, and some by the runners.

A recently introduced kind is the vigorous and handsome A. Davidii, with crimson-purple flowers on stems about 6 feet high. It is a fine perennial. A. Simplicifolia, a new perennial Alpine species of the highest beauty and ornament from Japan. Rarely a foot high, with somewhat hairy, palinately lobed leaves in cushion-like form. It produces graceful pamiles of creamy white flowers in July and August with the greatest freedom. A first-class plant for cool or moist places in the rock garden in rich vegetable soils. There is also a rose-colored variety, the twain unequalled for dainty grace. A most amiable and easily grown plant, it produces seeds freely and may be quickly had in quantity. Quite an acquisition.

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