Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

Meadowsweet has fluffy white flowers that smell sweet! It's often found in wet areas and is loved by insects.

Habitat: Wet meadows and marshes

Appearance

The Meadowsweet has creamy-white, frothy flower clusters that look like tiny clouds atop reddish, grooved stems. Its dark green leaves are deeply serrated and often have a whitish underside, giving it a distinct two-toned look.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusFilipendula

Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet has fluffy white flowers that smell sweet!

Interesting facts

It was a sacred plant for ancient Celtic priests, the Druids.

Its fragrant flowers were used to flavor mead, a popular honey drink.

People once used its flowers to scent homes and strew on floors!

The plant contains chemicals similar to aspirin, discovered in the 19th century.

Special abilities

Meadowsweet has a strong, sweet almond-like scent that helps it attract many busy insect pollinators.

Meadowsweet can grow in really wet soils, using its roots to absorb extra water and thrive where other plants might struggle.

Meadowsweet has natural compounds that help it defend against pests and diseases, keeping itself healthy.

Measurements & details

Height: 50-150 cm
Spread: 30-90 cm
Flower Size: 0.3-0.5 cm
Bloom Season: Summer to early autumn
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen from its abundant flowers.

Pollinates

Common Carder Bee

Bombus pascuorum

Visits meadowsweet flowers for vital nectar and pollen.

Eaten by

Dock Leaf Beetle

Gastrophysa viridula

Larvae and adults feed on meadowsweet leaves.

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

Also known as

DropwortQueen of the Meadow

Collections

Flowers

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Meadowsweet?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Meadowsweet?

50-150 cm

How wide does Meadowsweet spread?

30-90 cm

How big are the flowers on Meadowsweet?

0.3-0.5 cm

When does Meadowsweet bloom?

Summer to early autumn

Is Meadowsweet edible?

Yes

Is Meadowsweet toxic?

Mild