This group of hardy perennials is found in various parts of the world including North America, Japan, Europe and northwest China. Filipendula are commonly called Meadowsweet. Filipendula palmata variety rubra is a pretty plant that grows 6 to 8 feet high with a spread of 4 feet. Its large, dark green leaves have 7 to 9, irregularly cut lobes. The tiny, hot pink flowers are produced in feathery plumes on long, branched stems, in mid-summer. Filipendula purpurea also has deeply divided leaves into 5 to 7 hairy, serrated lobes. The tiny, reddish-purple flowers are borne in thick, branched heads on thin, purple-tinted stems, in the summer. This plant grows up to 4 feet high. Filipendula ulmaria variety aurea is a pretty variety that grows up to a foot high. It has fragrant leaves divided into 3 to 5 pairs of oval/oblong leaflets. They are golden turning into pale creamy-green. The minute, creamy-white flowers grow in feathery plumes on branched stems, in mid-summer.

These plants will flourish in moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade. The foliage of Filipendula ulmaria 'aurea' will burn if they are exposed to full sun. Filipendula palmata can be grown in wet ground. It is great for a boggy garden and will grow quickly.

These plants can be increased by sowing seeds in the fall or by division in the fall or winter.

Filipendula palmata & var. rubra;
Filipendula purpurea;
Filipendula ulmaria (Queen of the Meadow) & var. aurea, plena;
Filipendula hexapetala (Dropwort) & var. flore-pleno;
Filipendula rubra (Queen of the Prairie) & var. venusta;