Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) is a native perennial that brightens up a shaded garden area. Copyright 2015 Pamela Breitberg
Portrait of an emerging beard
beard
Heirloom beard…
Portrait of Bearded Iris bud. This plant is over 29 years old; it was present in our yard when we moved into our home in April of 1986. Copyright 2015, Pamela Breitberg
Closer look at the rainbow…
These rainbows are not as elusive as the ones in the sky, though their sophisticated patterning eludes me. I develop deeper awareness of my creative margins when my eyes rest on the “beard” of these lovely gifts of nature. Iris is the Greek word for rainbow.
Patterns in the Iris, copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg
Bearded Iris, copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg
Complex Rainbow, copyright 2014 Pamela Breitberg
Check previous spring postings in my blog for more information and images of the Iris.
Beauty in a beard…
Goatsbeard copyright 2012 Pamela Breitberg
The end of spring brings a change in the garden as bulbs complete their yearly show and make way for new divas of the garden. The new beauties use design and color to attract attention of the needed pollinators. One is known for its goatee. Beards are found on many creatures and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, textures and colors. The beards in this image are supposed to resemble the “silky” strands of hair in a goats’ beards. They look a lot like the delicate crochet braids popular today. Blooms and seed heads do not mimic the tuft of hair on a chin know as a goatee.
Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus) is an native perennial in the Midwest so it was an appropriate purchase for my garden several years ago. It prefers moist shade, so it’s vibrant floral display is welcome in the otherwise shades-of-green setting under our aging evergreen tree. Persons unfamiliar with Goatsbeard may mistake it for a super-sized version of Astilbe, another shade loving plant with fernlike leaves and similar branching flowers in various colors.
Bee on Goatsbeard copyright 2012 Pamela Breitberg