About
Filipendula vulgaris, the dropwort, is a rosette-forming, long-lived herbaceous perennial with bold, toothed, pinnately divided, rich-green leaves and foamy sprays of creamy-white flowers, often tinged pink or red in bud, on slender, branching stems in early and midsummer. A charming and reliable perennial for a sunny, well-drained border � unlike most of its relatives, it thrives in drier conditions.
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 sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow
Native toEurope to C Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained in full sun or partial shade; tolerant of less moisture than other species
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in containers in spring, or by division in spring or autumn; take root cuttings and place horizontally in a seed tray, from late winter to early spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and a fungal leaf spot