Meadowsweet Herb

Meadowsweet can be found growing wild in profusion near streams and rivers, in damp meadows, fens and marshlands, or wet woodlands to 1,000m/3,300ft altitude.  

It is a native of Europe and Asia that has been successfully introduced into, and is naturalized in, North America.

The generic name, Filipendula, comes from 'filum', meaning thread, 'pendulus', meaning hanging. This is said to describe the root tubers that hang, characteristically of the genus, on fibrous roots.

The common name, meadowsweet, is said to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'medesweete', which itself owes its origin to the fact that the plant was used to flavor mead, a drink made from fermented honey.

It has been known by many other names. In Chaucer's The Knight's Tale it is Meadwort and was one of the ingredients in a drink called 'save'. It was also known as Bridewort, because it was strewn in churches for festivals and weddings and made into bridal garlands. In Europe it took its name Queen of the Meadow from the way the herb can dominate a low-lying, damp meadow. In America, it became Gravel root or Joe Pie Weed (Eupatorium purpureum).

In the 16th century, when it was customary to strew floors with rushes and herbs (both to give warmth underfoot and to overcome smells and infections), it was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I. She desired it above all other herbs in her chambers.

The sap contains a chemical of the same group as salicylic acid, an ingredient of aspirin. It was isolated for the first time in the 19th century by an Italian professor. When the drug company Bayer formulated acetylsalicylic acid, they called it aspirin after the old botanical name for meadowsweet, Spirea ulmaria.

Species

Filipendula ulmaria

Meadowsweet

Hardy perennial. Ht 60-120cm (2-4ft), spread 60cm (2ft). Clusters of creamy-white flowers in midsummer. Green leaf made up of up to 5 pairs of big leaflets separated by pairs of smaller leaflets.

Filipendula ulmaria 'Aurea'

Golden Meadowsiveet

Hardy perennial. Ht and spread 30cm (12in). Clusters of creamy-white flowers in mid-summer. Bright golden yellow, divided leaves in spring that turn a lime color in summer. Susceptible to sun scorch.

Filipendula ulmaria 'Variegata'

Variegated Meadowsweet

Hardy perennial. Ht 45cm (18in) and spread 30cm (12in). Clusters of creamy-white flowers in midsummer. Divided leaf, dramatically variegated green and yellow in spring. Fades a bit as the season progresses.

Filipendula vulgaris (hexapetala)

Dropwort

Hardy perennial. Ht 60-90cm (2-3ft), spread 45cm (18in). Summertime clusters of white flowers (larger than meadowsweet). Fern-like green leaves.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Sow in prepared seed or plug trays in the autumn. Cover lightly with compost (not Perlite) and winter outside under glass. Check from time to time that the compost has not become dry as this will inhibit germination. .Stratification is helpful but not essential. Germination should take place in spring. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, plant out, 30cm (12in) apart, into a prepared site.

Division

The golden and variegated forms are best propagated by division. This is easily done in the autumn. Dig up established plant and tease the plantlets apart; they separate easily. Either replant in a prepared site, 30cm (12in) apart, or, if it is one of the decorative varieties, pot up using the bark, peat mix of compost.

Pests and Diseases

Meadowsweet rarely suffers from these.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds if required.

Summer: Cut back after flowering.

Autumn: Divide established plants, sow seed for wintering outside.

Winter: No need for protection.

Garden Cultivation

Meadowsweet adapts well to the garden, but does prefer sun/semi-shade and a moisture retentive soil. If your soil is free-draining, mix in plenty of well-rotted manure and/or leaf mould, and plant in semi-shade.

Harvest

Gather young leaves lot fresh or dry use before flowers appear. Pick flowers just as they open and use fresh or dry.

Medicinal

The whole plant is a traditional remedy for an acidic stomach.

The fresh root is used in homeopathic preparations and is effective on its own in the treatment of diarrhoea.

The flowers, when made into a tea, are a comfort to flu victims.

Culinary

A charming, local vet who made all kinds of vinegars and pickles gave me to try meadowsweet vinegar. Much to my amazement it was lovely, and combined well with oil to make a different salad dressing, great when used with a flower salad. I am not a fan of meadowsweet flower fritters so mention them only in passing. The flowers do however make a very good wine, and add flavor to meads and beers. The flowers can also be added to stewed fruit and jams, introducing a subtle almond flavor. Young leaves can be added to soups, but are not recommended for the fainthearted!

Other uses

A black dye can be obtained from the roots by using a copper mordant. Use dried leaves and flowers in potpourris.

Container growing

Golden and variegated meadowsweet look very attractive in containers, but use a soil-based compost to make sure moisture is retained. Position in partial shade to inhibit drying out and prevent sun scorch. The plant dies back in winter so leave it outside in a place where the natural weathers can reach it. If you live in an extremely cold area, protect the container from damage by placing in a site protected from continuous frost, but not warm. Liquid feed only twice during flowering.