Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria 'Aurea')
Filipendula ulmaria 'Aurea' (Meadowsweet) offers vibrant golden foliage contrasted by fragrant, showy summer blooms. Low maintenance and moisture-loving.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’, commonly known as Meadowsweet, is highly valued in the garden landscape primarily for its spectacular golden foliage, which lights up partially shaded areas. This upright, clump-forming perennial provides substantial color interest from spring through summer, setting it apart from the common green species. Its value is augmented by the delicate, highly fragrant, creamy white flowers that appear in early to mid-summer.
This hardy perennial thrives when provided with consistent moisture, making it an excellent choice for reliably damp spots where many other ornamentals struggle. Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ is generally a low-maintenance selection, provided its specific water needs are met. Gardeners appreciate this Meadowsweet for delivering both robust foliage impact and atmospheric summer fragrance.
The cultivar ‘Aurea’ requires consistent care regarding moisture to maintain the brilliant hue of its leaves throughout the season. While it adapts well to various soil conditions, ensuring soil is rich and never allowed to dry out is key to maximizing the ornamental appeal of this beautiful perennial.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 2-3 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: June to August
- Bloom Description: Creamy white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Establish Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ in the spring either through division or by planting purchased specimens. This plant prefers average, medium to wet, well-drained soil, and it particularly favors alkaline substrates. While it tolerates full sun, positioning it in part shade is highly recommended, especially in hotter climates, to prevent leaf scorch and help the golden foliage remain vibrant.
Watering is perhaps the most critical aspect of growing this Meadowsweet successfully; it must receive medium to wet conditions and cannot tolerate drought. If the foliage begins to look depleted or less attractive during the summer heat, cut the whole clump back hard to stimulate a flush of fresh new growth.
Propagation is easily achieved by dividing established clumps in early spring before new growth begins. Be aware that the golden color of ‘Aurea’ will not reliably come true if grown from seed, so vegetative division is the preferred method for maintaining the desired cultivar characteristics. Deadheading spent flower plumes promptly is also advisable to prevent unwanted self-seeding.
Landscape Uses
Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ excels in areas of the garden where moisture is plentiful, such as along the edges of ponds, streams, or in rain gardens. Its upright structure and bright golden color make it highly effective when placed toward the rear of mixed borders, contrasting beautifully against deep green or blue foliage plants. This Meadowsweet is also excellent for naturalized plantings where it can form loose colonies, offering textural contrast.
Consider pairing the golden leaves of Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ with moisture-loving companions that offer different textures, such as Astilbes, bright yellow Rodgersia, or dark-leaved Hosta varieties positioned slightly further away from intense, midday sun. Use its height to provide background structure in perennial beds or informal woodland settings.
The plant’s robust nature means it fits perfectly into less formal designs, such as wet meadows or boggy borders. Its low maintenance level further supports its use in naturalized areas where frequent intervention is impractical.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Filipendula ulmaria, commonly called meadowsweet or queen-of-the-meadow, is a large, clump-forming, upright perennial that typically grows 3-4’ (less frequently to 6’) tall and features branched, terminal, astilbe-like panicles (4-6”) of fragrant, creamy white flowers in early to mid summer. Compound, pinnate, dark green leaves (7-9 leaflets each) are hairy and whitish beneath. The specific epithet means resembling Ulmus the genus name of elms. ‘Aurea’ differs from the species by having bright golden foliage, featuring compound-pinnate, bright gold leaves that can provide impressive accent to part-shade areas.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
Potential Problems
This plant generally maintains a low disease and insect profile, making it a reliable choice. However, gardeners should be aware of some susceptibility to powdery mildew, especially if air circulation is poor or humidity is high without adequate daytime drying. Prevention involves ensuring good spacing between plants and watering at the base rather than overhead. If mildew appears, treat with an appropriate fungicide or neem oil application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Meadowsweet suitable for?
Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Meadowsweet grow?
This perennial typically reaches a mature height between 2 and 3 feet tall with a spread of 2 to 3 feet wide.
When does Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ bloom?
The blooms typically appear between June and August, presenting as creamy white flower clusters.
What sun exposure does Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ need?
This variety performs best when placed in locations ranging from full sun to partial shade conditions.
Conclusion
The striking golden foliage of Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ provides unparalleled seasonal brightness, complemented by the subtle fragrance of its summer flowers, establishing it as a superb specimen for moist areas. This dependable Meadowsweet hybrid offers excellent visual impact with minimal required upkeep. Before planting, confirm your site offers the consistent moisture this plant demands to ensure the best display from your Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’.
Companion Planting
When selecting partners for Meadowsweet, prioritize plants that also appreciate consistently moist to wet soil conditions and can handle similar light levels, ranging from full sun to part shade. Hostas with deep green or variegated leaves create an excellent color contrast against the brilliant chartreuse of the ‘Aurea’ foliage. Conversely, plants with fine textures, such as certain ornamental grasses adapted to wet feet (like some Hakonechloa or Carex species), can beautifully complement the coarser, compound leaves of the Meadowsweet.
Avoid placing Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ near plants prone to drought stress, as their differing water requirements will complicate garden management. Good structural companions for the mid-to-back border might include moisture-loving shrubs like various Dogwoods (Cornus species), provided they are positioned where they receive protection from the harshest afternoon sun.
Propagation Tips
While propagation by seed is possible, remember the distinctive golden foliage of Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ is unlikely to be true to type, requiring gardeners to rely on division for maintaining this specific cultivar. The best time to divide clumps of Meadowsweet is in early spring just as the new shoots are beginning to emerge from the soil. Carefully dig up the entire clump and use a sharp spade or knife to divide it into sections, ensuring each new division has healthy roots and several emerging buds. Replant the divisions immediately into their new locations or pot them up, ensuring they receive ample water post-transplant to help them reestablish quickly.
