Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria 'Variegata')

Overview

Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’ brings distinctive texture and fragrance to the garden landscape. This herbaceous perennial cultivar of Meadowsweet is highly valued for its bright, cream-and-yellow variegated foliage, which provides excellent color contrast against solid greens. It offers the signature plumes of its species but in a more compact, visually interesting package.

This robust plant thrives where moisture is abundant, making it an excellent choice for the edges of ponds or in rain gardens. While it exhibits charming creamy white flowers in mid-summer, the primary appeal of Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’ often lies in its bright, showy leaves throughout the season. Gardeners appreciate its low maintenance level and its ability to naturalize gently in ideal, wet conditions.

The overall effect of Meadowsweet in the landscape is one of cottage garden charm combined with reliable performance in moist areas. Its upright, clump-forming habit ensures it offers vertical interest without becoming overwhelmingly large, making it a staple for the rear of perennial borders where consistent moisture is guaranteed.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Rosaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 3-4 ft
  • Spread: 1.5-2 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

The best time to plant Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’ is in the spring or fall when established plants are available. Select a location that offers full sun to partial shade, recognizing that plants in hotter climates benefit significantly from afternoon shade. This perennial demands consistent moisture; it prefers alkaline soils that remain constantly moist and is intolerant of drought conditions.

Maintenance for this cultivar is generally low. Ensure adequate watering, especially during dry spells, as insufficient moisture will cause the foliage to decline rapidly during summer heat. If the foliage depreciates in appearance mid-season, a hard cutback will stimulate fresh, attractive growth.

Propagation is accomplished either through seed or by dividing mature clumps in early spring. Be aware that while the species freely self-seeds, the desirable variegation of the ‘Variegata’ strain may not reliably come true from seed. Promptly deadheading spent flower plumes is recommended if you wish to control spread and maintain the dense habit of the Meadowsweet.

Landscape Uses

Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’ is exceptionally well-suited for aquatic or boggy garden peripheries. It performs beautifully when allowed to naturalize along streams, the margins of ponds, or within designated rain garden installations where drainage is perpetually slow. The medium to wet water needs align perfectly with these saturated environments.

As a taller specimen, it serves as an excellent anchor or background element. Place it toward the rear of borders where its height (3-4 ft) will not shade out shorter neighbors. Its bright, variegated leaves complement darker foliage or plants that prefer similar moist, partial shade conditions, such as Astilbe or Hosta cultivars suitable for damp soils.

This plant’s habit also suits mass plantings intended to create sweeping, informal swaths of color and texture in naturalized areas of a property. It offers reliable vertical structure and seasonal fragrance when placed correctly near walkways or seating areas.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Fragrant

Noteworthy Characteristics

‘Variegata’ has variegated leaves and more compact growth. It is an upright, clump-forming perennial that typically grows 2-4’ tall and features branched, terminal, astilbe-like, 4-6” long panicles (corymbs) of tiny, fragrant, creamy white flowers in early to mid summer. Compound-pinnate, bright green leaves (7-9 lance-shaped leaflets each) are variegated with pale yellow stripes or blotches. A good foliage plant that is valued as much for its leaves as it is for its flowers.

Tolerances

• Rabbit
• Deer

Potential Problems

This perennial generally proves quite resistant to serious insect or disease issues under proper growing conditions. The main concern for Meadowsweet relates to humidity and air circulation, which can lead to some susceptibility to powdery mildew, particularly noticeable on less vigorous selections. Ensure adequate spacing between plants to maximize air flow, and site the plants where moisture is high but not stagnant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’ suitable for?

This perennial is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 9, offering a wide planting range.

How large does Meadowsweet grow?

Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’ typically reaches a height between 3 and 4 feet, with a spread of about 1.5 to 2 feet.

What sun exposure does Meadowsweet need?

This plant prefers full sun but will grow well in partial shade, appreciating afternoon relief from intense heat.

When does Meadowsweet bloom?

You can expect the fragrant, creamy white flowers of Meadowsweet to appear during the peak summer months, typically from June to August.

Conclusion

The variegated foliage and fragrant summer blooms make Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’ a standout choice for moist garden spaces. Its low maintenance profile and tolerance for damp soil ensure reliable performance year after year. Before planting, confirm your site provides the medium to wet conditions necessary to keep this beautiful Meadowsweet thriving.

Companion Planting

When selecting partners for Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’, prioritize other moisture-loving perennials that share its sun or partial shade preference. Plants like Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold) thrive early in the season, while taller marsh species like Ligularia or robust Iris varieties can complement its mid-summer display. Avoid dry-tolerant companions, as the thirsty nature of this Meadowsweet will require a consistently damp soil environment for everything planted nearby.

Propagation Tips

While this plant is easy to manage, gardeners may wish to propagate specific clumps to ensure the variegation remains true. The most reliable method is division, which should be performed in early spring, dividing the root clumps into smaller pieces, each with several growth buds. Alternatively, seeds can be sown, but as noted, seedlings may revert, losing the prized light-yellow streaking on the leaves of Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’.