Description of Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet)

Filipendula ulmaria is meadowsweet, a native plant for damp ground with creamy flower heads and a strong scent in warm weather. It’s a solid pick for a natural bog border.

Appearance

It forms upright clumps of leafy stems with divided leaves. In early to mid summer it produces frothy cream flowers held above the foliage. Height is often 1 to 1.5m, sometimes more in rich wet soil.

Care Guide

It likes moisture and decent soil. It’s not fussy if the ground stays damp.

• Sun: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil: Moist, fertile soil.
• Water: Keep damp through summer.
• Cut back: Cut stems down after flowering, or leave for winter structure.
• Division: Split big clumps in spring.

If it flops, it usually wants more light or a slightly leaner spot.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens on the damp edge where taller plants can stand behind shorter primulas and sedges. It also works well in wildlife planting, where you want flowers for insects.

Give it space. It fills out.

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