About
Filipendula hexapetala is a perennial herb in the rose family (Rosaceae) notable for its finely divided, fern-like basal leaves and loose clusters of small, creamy-white flowers. It produces sparsely leaved stems that rise above a basal rosette and reaches its mature height after a few seasons. The plant takes its English name from small tubers that hang from the roots.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Filipendula vulgaris
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.
More in the Filipendula genus
- Filipendula auriculatalobed meadowsweet
- Filipendula camtschatica 'Shiro-sankou-naka-fu' (v)
- Filipendula glaberrima
- Filipendula palmatapalmate meadowsweet
- Filipendula palmata 'Elegantissima'
- Filipendula palmata 'Rosea'Siberian meadowsweet 'Rosea'
- Filipendula purpureapurple meadowsweet
- Filipendula purpurea 'Elegans'