FILIPENDULA
Meadowsweet / Queen of the Prairie
If you are looking for a perennial that delivers sensational structure, lush foliage, and cloud-like summer blooms all at once, Filipendula is your plant. Valued equally for its deeply lobed leaves and its astilbe-like flower panicles, Filipendula is an absolute must have in the summer garden.
Growing Conditions
Most Filipendula varieties thrive in average, medium-to-wet, well-drained soil and prefer a spot in full sun to part shade. They are particularly exceptional for those troublesome damp areas of the yard where other perennials struggle with wet feet.
A highlight of midsummer!
Filipendula ‘Kahome’ (front) & Filipendula ‘Queen of the Prarie’ (back)
FILIPENDULA VARIETIES
Depending on your landscape, Filipendula offers two completely different scales to design with.
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Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta Magnifica’ (Queen of the Prairie)
This is a bold, architectural plant designed to make a massive statement. In early to mid-summer, it erupts with wide, dramatic panicles of tiny, fragrant, pale pink flowers.
Height: Grows up to 6–8 feet tall (though often slightly shorter in average garden soils).
Bloom Time: June to August.
Sun/Soil: Full sun to part shade; medium to wet soil. While it is native to consistently moist soils, it is incredibly resilient and will still perform well in average garden soils.
Best Garden Uses: Perfect for the rear of perennial borders, cottage gardens, native plant restoration areas, wet meadows, naturalized along the moist banks of streams and ponds, rain gardens or massing.
Native Region of Species plant: Northeastern Highlands of US / Not Ecotypic in New England
Queen of the Prairie is spectacular when planted in large masses. Because of its height, it serves as the perfect living backdrop for mid-sized summer perennials.
Filipendula rubra
Filipendula rubra
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Filipendula ‘Kahome’ (Dwarf Meadowsweet)
If you love the look of Queen of the Prairie but have a smaller garden space, 'Kahome' is your perfect match. This upright, clump-forming dwarf perennial offers the exact same fluffy charm on a miniature scale.
Height: A compact 8–12 inches tall.
Bloom Time: June to July.
Sun/Soil: Full sun to part shade; medium to wet soil.
Best Garden Uses: Front of the border accents, small cottage gardens, and damp rock gardens. Its dwarf size makes it a fantastic choice to mass together as a lush, flowering ground cover.
Filipendula ‘Kahome’
Filipendula ‘Kahome’
Ecological Benefits
Beyond its visual appeal, adding Filipendula to your landscape supports a healthy local ecosystem.
Pollinator Magnet: Highly attractive to butterflies, native bees, and other beneficial pollinators during the peak of midsummer.
Deer Resistant: Deer typically pass by Filipendula, making it a reliable choice for properties with high wildlife browsing pressure.
Bring Filipendula into Your Garden
Whether you need an 8-foot focal point to anchor a wet meadow or a tough, 12-inch flowering ground cover for a damp border, Filipendula fills the gap beautifully. Stop by the nursery this week to see their stunning foliage in person and find the perfect spot for them in your yard!