Your Letters 2 Report post Posted June 15, 2014 I planted 3 goat's beard plants in a row about 5-6 years ago. All three have thrived and grown to approximately the same height and width each year up until this year. This year 2 of the 3 plants have reached their full height (above 5 feet) while the third one has only grown to about 2 feet. What happen to this plant and what can I do to get it to grow to its full height again?Thanks.M.M.Madison, WI Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Janet Macunovich 32 Report post Posted June 15, 2014 We've seen goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) set back by burrowing animals -- not that they seem to be aiming to eat its crown, more like it was collateral damage. But it IS a member of the rose family and as such may be on hungry rodents' grocery list in a winter that goes on and on. You might use a trowel and hose to dig around the crown and rinse away the soil to take a close look, and may find that the crown's been physically damaged. We've seen the crown kind of hollowed out from below, a couple of times... Danged voles! If it was physical damage the plant will/should recover. We have taken the opportunity on many occasions this spring that, as long as the plant is damaged anyway, divide it, make more of it, and give the individual pieces more total root-growing space, for faster recovery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
