Three Goats in the Garden
Reading to the kids was something I really enjoyed. It was a nightly ritual until they hit around the age of 12. A story I especially liked when they were preschoolers was The Three Billy Goats Gruff (“Who’s that clip-clopping across my bridge?”). Last year it hit me that I already had two “goats” in the back garden: Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus) and Dwarf Goat’s Beard (A. aethusifolius).
The eldest and largest (and tastiest, as the story says) of the Billy Goat brothers is represented by A. dioicus. Goat’s Beard is about 4′ tall in our garden but I always have to give it some support to prevent flopping. The flowers are kind of like Astilbe on steroids.
A Midwestern native, it likes shade and prefers moist, rich soil.
For the middle Billy Goat Gruff I found this goat made out of rusted sheet metal.
Here’s a view from the other side. That’s Purple-flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus) to the right.
Finally, for the smallest Billy Goat Gruff we have Dwarf Goat’s Beard. This non-native makes a fine ground cover in shade.
The flowers are nice enough.
But low mounds of ferny foliage are this plant’s biggest selling point.
So we’ve got the three Billy Goats Gruff, now how about the troll? Well, this fellow above seems pretty trollish. He’s surrounded by White Corydalis (C. ochroleuca) on his left and Yellow Corydalis (C. lutea) on his right).
The troll and the Middle-Sized Billy Goat Gruff are eyeing each other warily.
Now all I need is a bridge in the proper scale. Everything I’ve found so far is too small or much too big. Any suggestions?
gardeninacity 
Was already thinking you needed a bridge before I got to the end. Love all your goats : ) The troll is perfect. A good company for bridges is http://www.fifthroom.com/garden-bridges/ I look forward to hearing the next chapter in your story!
Thanks for the link! Looks like they have a couple of things that could be just right.
In my early-gardening, zone-defying period, desperate to find interesting plants for my then-shady space, I tried growing goat’s beard in my coastal Southern California garden. Needless to say, it wasn’t any more successful than my attempt to grow herbaceous peonies in a climate that never really experiences winter’s chill. I’ve adapted to my climate since then but I continue to admire goat’s beard (and Astilbe, which is difficult to grow under water restrictions). I think your troll and goat look just fine in their stare-off over a sea of green.
I can imagine that would be a difficult transition to make – I know it would be for me. On the other hand, my own orange tree …
That would be a difficult adjustment. I think I would also have a hard time. On the other hand, I could have my own orange tree …
Love the goats!
Thanks!
One of my favorite childhood stories. Your troll looks appropriately menacing.
Oh, this is awesome. Yes, that was one of my favorite (scary) stories when I was a child. Great post title and garden story, too.
It’s a fun story to read aloud, too!
Great goats, and even better goat’s beard. I’m not familiar with this plant but it looks very pretty, much more so than the real thing!
Yes, goats are not very pretty, are they?
Lovely scene you’ve set! I don’t know that story, but trolls always fit into fairytales well. I think you need a drawbridge, so you can raise it when you need to get through with the lawnmower! 😉 By the way, I have a tall Aruncus dioicus which was here when we came – in the full sun! Seems to do fine and doesn’t flop until well past flowering.
Actually, I’ve found a bridge online that is 12″ x 36″, which may be just the right size. I was thinking I would put it in the raised bed behind the troll.
What a charming post! Three goats and a troll in your garden. Good luck finding the bridge! My husband and I read to our daughters until they were twelve or so. Great minds…
Reading to the kids was often the highlight of my day.
Yes!
Ha, love it! I actually just planted a goatsbeard plant in my garden yesterday. I’ve never grown goatsbeard before so I am looking forward to seeing it grow and bloom. Hopefully no trolls will try to eat it!
I think trolls are carnivorous.
Delightful post. I like whimsy (and goats beard) in the garden.
Thanks.
I remember that story. Your goats are all darling. I am glad they can’t gobble your garden. The troll has a clone in my garden. I don’t know where you can find a bridge. I believe a wood worker could build one to your specs.
My goats are easier to manage than the real kind.
Just love this Jason – what fun. I also love rusty metal in the garden seems to be perfect against green.
I never thought of that, but it’s true.
I loved that story when I was younger, my dad used to read it to me. Your goats are wonderful, especially the new metal one, fab troll too! Oh yes….you certainly need a bridge now, maybe get a carpenter to knock one out.xxx
I think I’ve found the bridge I want online.
I’m a fan of rusted metal art too and love the goat. Trolls, though, I’m not so sure about. I have one in my garden as well, that’s been worn by the weather, and I’m still not sure if I like it or not. They remind me of demons for some reason.
Demons I can do without. I think of trolls as being malicious but less intelligent and, well, demonic.
I like having figures in the garden, Jason. So your Billy Goat Gruff is very pretty. I think the real goat won’t dare to come in 🙂
I hope not!
I used to have goats… real goats… and yours are much less destructive for sure. I love all that lush greenery, and know nothing about Goat’s Beard.
I don’t think I could handle a real goat in the garden!
Incidentally, I commented on one of your posts, but I’m afraid it may have ended up in your spam folder.
I thoroughly enjoy your clever posts! Maybe an arch could serve as a metaphorical bridge?
That’s definitely a possibility.
Love this! Your yard is beautiful as well. 🙋🐦