pruning Rebloom is minimal with
deadheading, and the seedheads
develop a rather interesting pinkish
cast into the fall, so allowing spent
flowers to remain on the plant is
desirable. If foliage declines in late
summer, cut the plants to the ground
for a low, fresh mound of leaves. Be
certain to keep moist to encourage
regrowth, or it may not occur that
season. Plants that were cut back by
half in early June—when 2 1/2 ft. tall and
in tight bud—in an attempt to reduce
height and delay flowering never
bloomed. Queen-of-the-prairie usually
does not respond to pinching, either.
Plants may fall over during the winter.
If this is not welcome, cut back in the
autumn; otherwise, leave for winter
bird cover and then cut back in the
early spring.
other maintenance Best
summer-long performance is in moist,
high-organic soil. Prefers cool climates.
Tolerant of light shade. Usually
requires light support, preferably by an
obliging neighbor plant. The tough,
thonglike root system is best left
undisturbed for many years, unless
you need to control spread, in which
case divide in the autumn.
related plantS Filipendula
purpurea, Japanese meadowsweet, has
spent flower heads that develop
reddish tints, so plants don’t need
deadheading.
Filipendula vulgaris, dropwort
meadowsweet, seeds abundantly, but
seedlings are easily weeded out. In
contrast to other Filipendula plants,
this species transplants easily and is
tolerant of drier soil.
Filipendula ulmaria
queen-of-the-meadow
r oSaceae
Fluffy white flowers; compound leaves
4–6 ft. high; 3 ft. wide
Full sun–part shade
Blooms June–July
Zones 3–9
pruning Removing deadheads may
encourage some rebloom and will
prevent abundant reseeding. If old
foliage declines, cut the plant down
for new basal growth development.
other maintenance Best in
moist, high-organic soils. Provide
some shade in hot regions. Tough root
systems do not require frequent
division. Strong stems do not require
staking. Prone to mildew in hot, dry,
or stressed conditions.
related plantS Filipendula
ulmaria ‘Aurea’ is valued for its golden
foliage, which is more outstanding
into the autumn if the plant is sheared
back after flowering for new basal
growth. Because flowering reduces
the vigor of the foliage, a still-better
option might be to prevent the plant
from flowering altogether by shearing
the flower buds off when they are just
starting to form. This also prevents
any chance of mongrel seedlings
developing, which are green and
vigorous growers that may overtake
the golden parent.Filipendula ulmaria