Filipendula ulmaria
meadowsweet
Overview
Filipendula ulmaria is an erect herbaceous perennial in the rose family, growing 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) tall on reddish, often grooved stems. The pinnate leaves are dark green and crinkled above and white-downy beneath, divided into several pairs of sharply toothed leaflets with a larger lobed leaflet at the tip. Through summer the stems are topped by large, frothy, branched clusters of tiny creamy-white flowers, each cluster 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) across, carrying a sweet almond-and-honey scent. The plant grows from a stout rhizome and forms clumps in consistently damp ground. Native to Europe and western Asia, it grows wild in wet meadows, marshes, ditches, and along rivers and streams, and has naturalized in similar habitats in North America. The flowers and leaves contain salicylates, the compounds behind the development of aspirin, and were once used to flavor mead, beers, and wines and as a strewing herb for their scent. It needs reliably moist soil and tends to scorch and wilt where the ground dries out in summer.
Native Range
Native to Europe and western Asia, in wet meadows, fens, marshes, ditches, and along rivers and streams. It has naturalized in damp habitats across North America and other temperate regions.Suggested Uses
Grown in bog gardens, rain gardens, pond and stream edges, and damp wildflower borders. The scented summer flowers suit cottage and naturalistic plantings and draw pollinators. Dried flowers and leaves are used to flavor drinks and to scent linen.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 4'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Blooms in summer, generally June through August, when branched heads of tiny creamy-white flowers open above the foliage. The fragrant flowers draw bees, hoverflies, and other insects, though they supply pollen rather than nectar. After flowering, clusters of small spirally twisted seed heads form.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Dark green above, whitish-downy beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight