MEADOWSWEET (Filipendula ulmaria)

20cm bare- root super-plug (perennial)

Meadowsweet is one of Britain's most elegant native wildflowers, renowned for its frothy clusters of creamy-white flowers and sweet, almond-like fragrance. Growing in impressive drifts along riversides, damp meadows and wet grasslands, this handsome perennial creates a striking display during the height of summer. Rich in folklore and history, Meadowsweet was once strewn across floors to perfume homes and is considered one of the most characteristic plants of traditional wet meadow habitats.

This robust perennial thrives in moist, fertile soils and is particularly well suited to damp meadows, pond margins, ditches and stream banks. It prefers full sun but will also tolerate light shade, flourishing wherever the soil remains consistently moist throughout the growing season. Unlike many meadow wildflowers, Meadowsweet performs best in wetter conditions and can be used to add height, structure and beauty to areas of the garden that are prone to seasonal dampness.

Meadowsweet is exceptionally valuable for wildlife, producing masses of nectar-rich flowers that attract a wide range of pollinating insects. Bees, hoverflies, beetles and numerous butterfly species frequently visit the blooms, while several moth species use the plant as a larval food source. The dense flower heads provide abundant nectar during midsummer, helping to support pollinators at one of the busiest periods of their life cycle. Its tall growth also creates shelter and habitat for many invertebrates within meadow ecosystems.

Flowering from June to August, Meadowsweet typically reaches heights of 60-150cm and creates a spectacular display of creamy-white blossom above its attractive dark green foliage. The airy flower heads contrast beautifully with the rich purples of Black Knapweed, Field Scabious and Meadow Cranesbill, creating the classic colour palette of a traditional British wildflower meadow. Whether planted beside a pond, incorporated into a wet meadow or used in a wildlife-friendly garden, Meadowsweet offers fragrance, beauty and outstanding ecological value throughout the summer months.