Common Name: Dropwort

General Information

Filipendula vulgaris is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a rhizomatous rootstock; it forms a clump of erect stems that can be up to 75cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it ca be used to proviide ground cover; there are some named varieties.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Most of Europe, excluding the far north; western and central Asia to southern Siberia; N. Africa - Morocco, Algeria

Habitat

Dry pastures on limestone or chalky soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Beetles, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Filipendula vulgaris is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating winter temperatures falling as low as -35°c[].
Prefers a well-drained moisture retentive soil[], but is easily grown in any average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun[]. Dislikes shade[]. Unlike most members of this genus, this species tolerates dry soils and some drought[, ]. Grows well on calcareous soils[].
The flowers are sweetly scented and are very attractive to bees[].
Plants will often self-sow freely[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[, , ]. They can be added to salads and soups[].

Root - raw or cooked[, , , ]. The roots produce ovoid tubers around 10 - 30mm in diameter[, ]. Rather bitter[]. Astringent[]. Best if roasted[]. A famine food, it is only used in times of scarcity[].

Medicinal

The root is anthelmintic and lithontripic. It is used in the treatment of epilepsy, kidney and bladder stones, genital discharges and intestinal worms[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be used as a ground cover when planted about 45cm apart each way[]. The cultivar 'Flore Pleno' with sweetly scented double flowers has been recommended[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame[]. The seed can also be sown in a cold frame in spring, germinating best at a temperature of 10 - 13°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer if they have grown enough. If not, keep them in a cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring.
Division in autumn or winter[]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.