Plant Overview
The familiar native summer wildflower which grows freely in meadows and verges and flowers from June into August. Perfect for a wildflower area in the garden.
Loved by bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Suitable for cut flowers.
Height and spread: 60 x 45 cm
Known in Yorkshire as Courtship and Matrimony because the sweet smell of the flowers contrasts with the sharper smell of the crushed leaves.
The name Filipendula comes from the Latin ‘filum', meaning thread and ‘pendulus’, meaning drooping.
Common name: Meadowsweet; Summer's Farewell; Queen of the Meadows; Kiss-me-quick; Courtship and Matrimony; Dolloff; Little Queen; Old Man's Pepper; Steeple Bush; Sweet Hay; Tea Flower; Meadow Maid.
History & Tradition
Meadowsweet is one of the strewing herbs, which were put on the stone floors of houses so that the scent emitted when trodden on would cheer the heart. It would also mask the more unpleasant scent which may be present. It was also strewn on church flowers at weddings, partly for the scent, but also because it was believed it would promote love.
The Druids considered it a sacred herb. It was used to flavour beer and other drinks before the use of hops became widespread.
Those who inhale the plant's scent are supposedly granted the gift of second sight and will be able to converse with faeries.
Gerards Herbal (1597) reports that "the floures boiled in wine and drunke, do make the heart merrie".
Photo: W.carter, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
