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Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Filipendula rubra
Filipendula rubra (Hill) B.L. Rob.
Queen Of The Prairie, Queen-of-the-prairie
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: FIRU2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (I)
A robust perennial, usually growing 3-6 ft. high. Attractive, deeply cut leaves with 7-9 lobes can be 3 ft. long. Large, feathery clusters of small, fragrant, usually pink flowers. The large sprays of small pink, fragrant blossoms are its claim to fame. Numerous stamens give the spirea-like flowers a fuzzy appearance.
A showy species, this coarse-leaved perennial flourishes in wildflower gardens. Meadow Queen (F. ulmaria), a shorter European introduction with white or greenish-white flowers, is also found in the East.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene , Aggregate
Size Notes: Up to about 8 feet tall, often shorter.
Fruit: Aggregated achenes.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Usually pink, sometimes purplish.
Distribution
USA: CT , GA , IA , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , VA , VT , WI , WV , WYCanada: NB , NL , NS , ON , QC
Native Distribution: PA to MI, s. to w. NC & IL; occasionally naturalizing elsewhere
Native Habitat: Moist meadows & prairies; bogs
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Native to moist soils but will do well in average or dry soils.
Benefit
Attracts: ButterfliesPropagation
Description: Best propagated by rootstock division in early spring or fall. To propagate from seed, scratch cleaned seed into the soil in fall or store over winter, stratify and plant in spring. Stem cuttings can be made in mid-spring before the flowers appear.Seed Collection: Collect in late summer or early fall when tops of plants turn gray, usually 4-6 weeks after blooming. Since the fruits do no dehisce, the achene itself can be treated as a seed for cleaning, storing and sowing. Store in sealed, refrigerated container.
Seed Treatment: Cold-moist stratification (40 degrees for two months)
Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native flowers for Door County, Wisconsin
September 02, 2009
We recently were required to put in a new septic system on our vacation property in Door County, WI. This left us with a clearing on our wooded lot where the septic field is now located. The installer...
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National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | OBL | FACW | OBL | FACW |
Bibliography
Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. LeyerleBibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1994 VOL. 11, NO.4 - Night of the Wildflowers Fundraising Event, New Site Preview Featured at Members...Additional resources
USDA: Find Filipendula rubra in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Filipendula rubra in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Filipendula rubra
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-10Research By: TWC Staff