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European Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria

Phonetic Spelling
fil-ih-PEN-dyoo-luh ul-MAR-ee-uh
Description

Meadowsweet is a large, flowering, herbaceous perennial that typically grows to 4 feet high. In the wild, it can be found on wet ground in swamps, marshes, wet woods and meadows, wet rock ledges and by rivers.  The plant is similar to Astilbe or Spirea, with tiny flowers in upright panicles. The flowers have a strong sweet smell that some people find objectionable. The leaves are also aromatic, though with a more pleasant scent. The genus name comes from the Latin words filum meaning a thread and pendulus meaning hanging and refers to the root tubers in some species that hang together with threads. The species name means resembling Ulmus the genus name of elms.

Meadowsweet does best in a humus-rich moist well-drained soil in semi-shade or in full sun if the soil is kept moist throughout the growing season. It does not tolerate dry or acid soils; however, it does grow well in heavy clay soils. If plants dry out, the leaves become scorched, but the plant can be cut back hard to generate new growth. The plant has a clumping habit and can easily be divided, allowed to root in a container, then replanted in the ground in the spring. It freely self-seeds and can spread out of control.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests, although mildew can sometimes be a problem. Some Midwestern states consider this plant a noxious weed and do not allow it to be grown or transplanted where there is any danger of it spreading.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#fragrant leaves#aggressive#herbaceous perennial#attractive leaves#clumping#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#fragrant leaves#aggressive#herbaceous perennial#attractive leaves#clumping#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Filipendula
    Species:
    ulmaria
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Meadowsweet has a long history as a medicinal herb. The flower head contains salicylic acid, from which, aspirin can be synthesized.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Siberia, Asia, Mongolia
    Distribution:
    Europe, from Iceland south and east to Spain. Eastern Canada and Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States.
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts wildlife.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Yellowish white, fragrant flowers blossom from June to August. Flowers are branched, terminal, astilbe-like panicles 4 to 6 inches long.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Doubly Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Compound, pinnate, dark green leaves (7 to 9 leaflets each) are hairy and whitish beneath.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Garden for the Blind
    Rock Garden
    Water Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Weedy