How to Grow Filipendula Plants

Guide to Growing Meadowsweet, Queen of the prairie, Queen of the meadows & Dropwort

Filipendula are hardy perennials that range in height from 60 cm to 3 m.

They carry pink or purple plumes in the summer and have leaves that are similar to those of ferns.

They can be grown in borders that are a little bit moist.

Some common names for Filipendula include Queen of the meadows, Queen of the Prairie, Pink Froth, Spiraea, Meadowsweet and Dropwort.

Filipendula vulgaris by AnnaKika.

Quick Filipendula Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Meadowsweet, Dropwort, Queen of the prairie, Queen of the meadows, Bridewort.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial.
Height: 24 to 120 inches (60 to 300 cm).
Native: Northern America, Europe, Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 9.
Flowers: Summer.
Flower Details: White, cream, pink. Plumes. Fragrant.
Foliage: Herbaceous. Lobed. Fern-like. Dark green upper leaf, downy, lighter lower leaf.
Sow Outside: Cover seed. Autumn using fresh seed. Seeds should first be sown into flats. Next sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering. Keep an eye on the flats to ensure that the soil remains moist and to check if seedlings have emerged. Transfer to pots when seedlings are strong. Transplant to final location in autumn.
Sow Inside: Germination time: one to three months. Temperature: 55 to 60°F (13 to 16°C). Ten weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements and care: Full sunlight or partial shade; some species will only grow in the shade. Alkaline soil, moist soil. Mix in manure or compost. Soil must be kept moist so supply a spring and autumn mulch of organic material. Provide support with twigs. Cut back to the ground in autumn. Propagate: by dividing at the start of spring in cold areas or autumn in warmer areas.
Miscellaneous: Takes two years for seed grown plants to bloom. Filipendula are attractive to many species of moths and butterflies such as the Grizzled Skipper.

How to Grow Filipendula Plants such as Meadowsweet, Queen of the Meadows, and Dropwort in the Garden

Seeds of Filipendula species such as Queen of the meadows should be sown in flats in the autumn. Lightly cover the seeds, cover with glass, and sink in the ground against a north facing shed or wall. Once the seeds have germinated, transfer them into pots.

The Filipendula plants should then be moved to their final location in the autumn. Filipendula like to grow in a partially shadety area (though some can tolerate sunny conditions in moist soils) and prefer an organic alkaline soil. It will take about two years until Filipendula will flower.

Caring for Filipendula Plants

Once established more Filipendula plants can be had by dividing in the spring in cold areas and in the Autumn in warmer areas. Plants are fairly easy to look after; requiring mulching in the spring and autumn, and cutting back to the ground after flowering in the autumn.