Alphabetical Plant Listing

Filipendula rubra (Queen of the Prairie)

Queen of the Prairie, Meadowsweet


Tall and spectacular, Filipendula rubra (Queen of the Prairie) is an upright herbaceous perennial boasting pleasantly fragrant clusters packed with hundreds of tiny pale pink flowers from early to late summer. Borne on leafy stems above the foliage, the feathery blossoms are nicely complemented by large, deeply cut, many-lobed, bright green leaves. Tough, long-lasting, this U.S. native perennial is valued for both its leaves and its flowers. A dramatic species for a naturalistic, moist woodland garden, natural garden or sunny wood edges.

  • Grows up to 6-8 ft. high (180-240 cm) and 3-4 ft. wide (90-120 cm). Freely self-seeds and spreads by creeping rhizomes to form large colonies.
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained or poorly-drained soils. Provide consistent moisture as Queen of the Prairie is intolerant of drought. This will help the foliage to remain attractive throughout the growing season. Part shade is appreciated in hot climates. Clay soil tolerant.
  • This upright, flowering perennial always provides drama in the garden and is quite effective at the back of the perennial border or in a mixed shrub borders. Perfect as an accent plant, it is also a great candidate for naturalistic plantings, prairie plantings, cottage gardens, wild gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens and along streams or ponds.
  • Easy to grow, it requires very low care, has no serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
  • No deadheading required as the faded flower heads are decorative. Cut back after flowering.
  • Propagate by division in early spring or fall. To propagate from seed, scratch cleaned seed into the soil in fall or store over winter, stratify and plant in spring.
  • Native to eastern North America

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 36" – 48" (90cm – 120cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rocky Mountains, Wyoming, Southeast, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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Juliet Photography, Peter Turner Photography (Shutterstock)

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 9
Heat Zones 1 – 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, A1, A2, A3
Plant Type Perennials
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 6' – 8' (180cm – 240cm)
Spread 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spacing 36" – 48" (90cm – 120cm)
Water Needs Average, High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rocky Mountains, Wyoming, Southeast, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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