About
Filipendula purpurea, the Japanese meadowsweet, is an elegant, herbaceous perennial to 80 cm with bold, palmately divided foliage and tiny, deep purplish-pink flowers in impressive, airy, flat-topped sprays in midsummer. A choice and ornamental meadowsweet for a moist, sheltered border or streamside planting.
About the genus
Filipendula, the meadowsweets, are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with pinnately or palmately divided leaves and large, airy sprays of small, rosy-pink or white flowers borne on leafy stems above the foliage in summer. Excellent plants for moist, sheltered borders and waterside planting.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toJapan
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained or poorly-drained soil in full sun or partial shade; will tolerate full shade
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers in spring, or by division in spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to fungal leaf spots and powdery mildew