About the genus
Filipendula is a genus of 12 species of perennial herbaceous flowering plants in the family Rosaceae, native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Well-known species include meadowsweet and dropwort, both native to Europe, and queen-of-the-forest and queen-of-the-prairie, native to North America.
Wikipedia contributors, "Filipendula", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Filipendula
In the garden
Filipendula hexapetala is a perennial herbaceous plant in the rose family, native to parts of Europe and neighbouring regions where it grows in open, dry grassland. The foliage forms a fern-like basal rosette and flowering stems carry panicles of small creamy-white blooms in June to August; the species develops to its full height after around 2–5 years. For cultivation give a sunny, open position with well-drained, lime-rich (calcareous) soil similar to dry pasture; avoid waterlogged ground. It tolerates drier, free-draining sites rather than heavy clay and establishes best where roots can form the characteristic hanging tubers. Planting into a light, gravelly mix or a raised bed on alkaline soil will suit its requirements. In the UK garden it suits meadow-style plantings, gravel or prairie borders and sunny field edges where its low basal foliage and airy flower clusters can be seen at close range. Leave stems standing after flowering if you want to inspect the root tubers the following season, since those dangling nodules are the feature that gives Dropwort its common name and accompany the cream flowers produced in June to August.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Filipendula genus
- FilipendulaMeadowsweet
- Filipendula glaberrimaKorean Meadowsweet
- Filipendula palmatapalmate meadowsweet
- Filipendula palmata 'Elegantissima'
- Filipendula palmata 'Rosea'Siberian meadowsweet 'Rosea'
- Filipendula purpurea 'Elegans'
- Filipendula rubraqueen of the prairie
- Filipendula rubra 'Venusta' ('Magnifica')Queen-of-the-prairie