Bride’s Feathers: A Lesser-Known Garden Perennial
If you’ve stumbled upon the name bride’s feathers (Aruncus dioicus var. vulgaris), you might be wondering what exactly this plant is and whether it deserves a spot in your garden. Well, you’re not alone in your curiosity – this particular variety is something of a botanical mystery that doesn’t show up in many garden centers or plant catalogs.
What Exactly Is Bride’s Feathers?
Bride’s feathers is a perennial forb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s a non-woody plant that comes back year after year. Unlike shrubs or trees, this plant doesn’t develop thick, woody stems but instead grows from buds at or below ground level. It’s related to the more commonly known goat’s beard (Aruncus dioicus), but this particular variety – vulgaris – seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle of modern horticulture.
Where Does It Come From?
Here’s where things get interesting: bride’s feathers isn’t actually native to North America. It’s what botanists call a non-native introduced species, meaning it originally came from somewhere else but has managed to establish itself and reproduce in the wild without human help. In the United States, you’ll find it growing in Maine, Michigan, and New York – a pretty limited range that speaks to its specific growing requirements.
The Name Game
Like many plants that have been around for a while, Aruncus dioicus var. vulgaris has collected quite a few scientific names over the years. You might see it referred to as:
- Aruncus aruncus (though this name isn’t considered valid)
- Aruncus sylvester
- Aruncus vulgaris
- Spiraea aruncus
This collection of synonyms tells us that botanists have been trying to figure out exactly where this plant fits in the family tree for quite some time.
Should You Plant Bride’s Feathers?
This is where things get a bit tricky. While bride’s feathers isn’t known to be invasive or particularly problematic, there’s also surprisingly little information available about its garden performance, care requirements, or ecological benefits. It’s one of those plants that seems to exist in a horticultural gray area.
Given its non-native status and the wealth of beautiful native alternatives available, you might want to consider exploring indigenous options instead. Native plants typically offer better support for local wildlife, are adapted to local growing conditions, and help preserve regional biodiversity.
What We Don’t Know
Honestly, there’s quite a bit we don’t know about this particular variety of Aruncus. Information about its:
- Specific growing conditions and care requirements
- Mature size and growth rate
- Flower characteristics and bloom time
- Wildlife and pollinator benefits
- Hardiness zones
- Propagation methods
This lack of readily available information suggests it’s either extremely rare in cultivation or has been largely overlooked by the gardening community.
Native Alternatives to Consider
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing an Aruncus species, you might want to look into native alternatives that can provide similar aesthetic appeal while supporting your local ecosystem. Research native plants in your region that offer comparable garden value – your local native plant society or extension office can be great resources for recommendations.
The Bottom Line
Bride’s feathers remains something of an enigma in the gardening world. While it’s not flagged as invasive or problematic, the lack of available growing information makes it a challenging choice for most gardeners. Unless you’re specifically interested in botanical rarities or have access to reliable growing information from specialized sources, you’ll probably have better luck with better-documented plants that can provide clearer expectations for your garden investment.
Sometimes the most interesting plants are the ones that remain a bit mysterious, but for most of us, a garden filled with well-understood, locally appropriate plants will bring more joy and fewer surprises.
