Queen Of The Prairie, Meadowsweet
Filipendula rubra
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Filipendula rubra is a PERENNIAL growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 1.3 m (4ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
Height (m): 2.5
Where it is found
Moist meadows and bogs.
Eastern N. America - Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to Michigan and Iowa.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The root is rich in tannin, it is used as an astringent in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, bleeding etc. It has also been used in the treatment of various heart complaints. The plant probably contains salicylic acid, the chemical forerunner of aspirin. This is anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
Analgesic: Relieves pain.
Antiinflammatory: Reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Other
Rating:
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Specimen. Requires a humus-rich moist soil in semi-shade. Succeeds in full sun only if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season. Dislikes dry or acid soils. Does well in marshy soils. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut annually in the autumn. Although the plants are perfectly hardy in Britain, they appreciate the winter protection of bracken or some similar mulch when grown in areas of prolonged frosts. Plants spread fairly freely and form large clumps. There is at least one named variety, selected for its ornamental value. The flowers are very attractive to bees. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Suitable for cut flowers.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. The seed can also be sown in a cold frame in spring, germinating best at a temperature of 10 - 13°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have grown enough. If not, keep them in a cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring. Division in autumn or winter. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Meadow; Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist, wet