Filipendula rubra 'Venusta' - Queen of the Prairie cultivar

Sizes available: True gallon

Basics: zones 3-8, 48-72" x  36-48", full sun to part shade, fluffy plumes of tiny pink flowers held high above the foliage on strong stems in mid summer, very wet, boggy soils to medium moisture (in more. shady conditions), clay tolerant

Common names: Queen of the Prairie, Meadowsweet

Family: Rosaceae

Origin/Distribution: Pennsylvania west to Michigan, south to western North Carolina and Illinois. Also native in parts of Canada and has naturalized in other areas of the U.S. It is considered rare in its native range. 

Habitat: found in bogs, moist meadows and prairies, low places in sunny fields

More: It is really a challenge to say how 'Venusta' differs from the species. Even the Native Plant Trust doesn't know. Prairie Moon Nursery has a very romantic and flowery description of this showstopper on their website. Here is a sample: "Queen of the Prairie heralds fragile sprays of tiny pink buds in early summer. These pearlescent clusters burgeon out and burst open from bottom to top in an abundance of little flowers attended by a fanfare of filaments." My goodness. I am blushing just thinking about it! This plant will self-sow and in optimal (consistently wet and sunny) conditions will form a large, stunning colony. It produces a lot of pollen which is enjoyed by native bees and others, but does not produce nectar. Both the flowers and the leaves are fragrant. The leaves will hold up well if the plant's moisture needs are met and are deeply dissected and elegant. This may make a good cut flower, but I have not tested vase life yet. Deer resistant. The species has been used medicinally.

Nursery: Van Berkum

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons