Meadowsweet (Filipendula 'Kahome')
Filipendula 'Kahome' is a dwarf, clump-forming Meadowsweet producing rosy pink, fragrant flowers in early summer. Hardy and low-maintenance.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Filipendula ‘Kahome’ is a charming, dwarf cultivar of Meadowsweet, prized for its compact habit and attractive summer blooms. This herbaceous perennial offers gardeners a dependable splash of color combined with appealing foliage texture, making it versatile for borders and moist garden pockets. Its manageable size ensures it offers significant impact without overpowering smaller landscape areas.
This variety typically reaches only 8 to 12 inches tall, forming neat, upright clumps ideal for front-of-border placement. The display features sprays of tiny, intensely fragrant, rosy pink flowers that appear reliably from June into July, providing mid-season interest in damp locations. Gardeners appreciate Filipendula ‘Kahome’ for its low maintenance needs and vibrant textural contrast.
The compound-pinnate leaves possess a bright green, fern-like appearance that often remains handsome throughout the season, especially when provided with adequate moisture. Because it thrives in wetter soils where many perennials struggle, Filipendula ‘Kahome’ serves a crucial functional role in rain gardens or near water features, offering reliable beauty with minimal fuss.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 0.5-1 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Rosy pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Filipendula ‘Kahome’ during the spring or fall in locations offering full sun or partial shade. Optimal growth occurs in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil. Crucially, this Meadowsweet prefers consistently moist, fertile, and humus-rich conditions; never allow the soil to fully dry out, especially during the active growing season. In hot, humid climates, providing a bit of afternoon shade can help preserve the foliage quality.
Watering should remain consistent to keep the soil moist. Fertilization is generally unnecessary if the soil is already fertile and contains plenty of organic matter. If the foliage begins to look tired or depreciates late in the summer, a simple solution is to cut the entire plant back immediately after flowering finishes, which encourages fresh, tidy growth before fall.
Propagation for this cultivar is best achieved by dividing established clumps during the autumn months. While many traditional Filipendula species readily self-seed, gardeners should note that this new hybrid cultivar may not reliably come true from seed, making division the preferred method for reliable reproduction.
Landscape Uses
The dwarf stature of Filipendula ‘Kahome’ makes it an exceptional edging plant, perfect for defining the fronts of borders where its ferny texture can contrast with broader-leaved companions. It naturally integrates well into cottage gardens, lending an informal, romantic touch with its airy pink flowers. Additionally, it is ideal for specialized damp locations.
Consider mass planting this Meadowsweet near naturalized areas, along the edges of streams, or within rain gardens where consistently moist or wet soil conditions are present. Where massed densely, the clump-forming habit of Filipendula ‘Kahome’ can function effectively as a low-maintenance ground cover in those moist sites. Taller growing perennials or structural evergreens make excellent vertical partners near this low-growing accent.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Filipendula is a genus of about 10 or more species of herbaceous perennials from northern temperate areas. ‘Kahome’ is a dwarf form of meadowsweet. It is an upright, clump-forming perennial that typically grows only 8-12” tall and features branched, terminal, astilbe-like panicles (corymbs) of tiny, fragrant, rosy pink flowers in summer. This is a good foliage plant that is valued as much for its leaves as it is for its flowers.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
Filipendula ‘Kahome’ rarely faces serious insect or disease challenges, contributing to its low maintenance appeal. However, like many species within the genus, it can become susceptible to powdery mildew, particularly when air circulation is poor or humidity is very high. Ensure adequate space between plants during establishment to promote good airflow, and prioritize consistent moisture to keep the foliage robust and naturally resistant to fungal issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Meadowsweet suitable for?
Filipendula ‘Kahome’, or Meadowsweet, performs best when grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Filipendula ‘Kahome’ grow?
This dwarf cultivar is compact, typically reaching a height between 0.5 and 1 foot, with an equal spread of 0.5 to 1 foot at maturity.
When does Meadowsweet bloom?
This perennial features its lovely light display of rosy pink flowers during the peak summer months, generally blooming from June to July.
What sun exposure does Filipendula ‘Kahome’ need?
Plant this variety where it can receive full sun or partial shade; consistent moisture is more critical than absolute sun requirements.
Conclusion
Filipendula ‘Kahome’ excels as a resilient and visually appealing perennial, offering delightful fragrant blooms and attractive foliage in an easy-to-manage, dwarf package. Incorporating this Meadowsweet into damp garden corners provides texture and color where other plants might falter. Before planting, ensure your intended location meets the medium to wet soil requirements for the best performance from your Filipendula ‘Kahome’.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions for Filipendula ‘Kahome’ should prioritize moisture compatibility. Plants that similarly enjoy consistently damp, rich soil will thrive alongside this Meadowsweet. Good partners often include Astilbe, Hosta (especially moisture-loving varieties), Rodgersia, and various Iris species that tolerate wet roots. Grouping these plants creates a cohesive, low-maintenance, water-wise display in the garden bed.
Wildlife Benefits
While the primary benefit of Filipendula ‘Kahome’ is ornamental, its flowering period in early to mid-summer provides a valuable nectar source when planted in appropriate habitat settings. The small, clustered flowers of this Meadowsweet attract various beneficial insects and general pollinators foraging during the summer months. Placing groupings near vegetable gardens can support local pollinator populations throughout the blooming season.
