Filipendula vulgaris
| Filipendula vulgaris | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 6.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Late Summer |
| Meadows | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Filipendula vulgaris (common name: dropwort)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame[1]. The seed can also be sown in a cold frame in spring, germinating best at a temperature of 10 - 13°c[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have grown enough. If not, keep them in a cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring.
Division in autumn or winter[2]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation: Prefers a well-drained moisture retentive soil[2]. Dislikes shade[3]. Tolerates dry soils[2]. Grows well on calcareous soils[3].
The flowers are sweetly scented and are very attractive to bees[4].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[5].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, Siberia and the Caucasus.
Habitat: Dry pastures on limestone or chalky soils[6].
Edibility: Young leaves - raw or cooked[7][8][2]. They can be added to salads and soups[9].
Root - raw or cooked[7][10][8][2]. Rather bitter[11]. Astringent[12]. Best if roasted[13]. A famine food, it is only used in times of scarcity[9].
Medicinal: The root is anthelmintic and lithontripic. It is used in the treatment of epilepsy, kidney and bladder stones, genital discharges and intestinal worms[7].
Usage: Plants can be used as a ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way[14]. The cultivar 'Flore Pleno' with sweetly scented double flowers has been recommended[14].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, beetles, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Also Known As: F. hexapetala. Spiraea filipendula. Ulmaria filipendula.
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ Carruthers, S. Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading, 1986.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.