White-flowered Filipendulas: 6 varieties to discover

Filipendula camtschatica: a giant!

Spectacular for its size, the Filipendula camtschatica can reach up to 2.5 m in height under good conditions when in flower! Its impressive stature allows it to dress the back of a border, infusing it with a sense of grandeur. From July to September, it displays beautiful umbels of small star-shaped flowers, white to cream-white. Its elegant stems bear deciduous green foliage, broad yet graceful, reminiscent of castor oil plants.

It is one of those majestic perennial plants that form large, structural bushes 70 cm wide. It thrives at the edge of ponds or at the back of a moist border, alongside Japanese irises or other tall, airy plants of wet environments like astilbes.

Filipendula Camtschatica (© HQ)

Filipendula vulgaris: elegant and floriferous

Also known as common Filipendula or vulgar Meadowsweet, this species of meadowsweet is a blend of robustness and elegance. It develops a rosette of finely cut green leaves, dentate like those of a fern. From May to August, the flowering in plumes of feathery flowers similar to those of spireas rises above this large cut foliage, reaching a height of 60 cm.

Not very demanding, this species possesses the character of wild plants, making it suitable for naturalistic or wildflower beds. Like all other Filipendulas, it thrives in rich, humus-bearing soil, in full sun or partial shade.

You can easily associate it in the garden, around a water feature, in damp borders, or at the heart of a cool bed with many other perennials such as the Blackfield Fleeceflower and Purple Joe-Pye Weed.

Filipendula vulgaris

Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’: a little variegated mist

Filipendula ulmaria is available in numerous cultivars, including this wonderful variegated specimen. The Filipendula ulmaria ‘variegata’ stands out from its peers with its highly decorative subtly variegated foliage, irregularly coloured with yellow-gold at the centre of the leaves and medium green on the margins. From June to August, plume-like inflorescences composed of tiny cream-white flowers appear well above the foliage at a height of 60 cm.

With its natural appearance, it pairs beautifully with heleniums or acanthus in cool soil.

Filipendula ulmaria ‘Variegata’

Filipendula purpurea 'Alba': a delicate and charming flowering

The Filipendula purpurea ‘Alba’ is a very attractive variety that creates a backdrop of greenery with a wild appearance. Its flowering consists of small white flowers dusted with soft pink, gathered in compact corymbs. These delicate plumes emerge from an elegant tuft of large, finely cut, light green leaves.

The overall effect is a graceful bush with harmonious hues, reaching a height of 70cm. This medium-sized variety is well-suited to small gardens. It will easily find its place in a naturalistic garden alongside other airy perennials, such as Angelicas and Asters.

Filipendula purpurea ‘Alba’ (© FD Richards)

Filipendula ulmaria 'Plena': clusters of double flowers

The Filipendula ulmaria ‘Plena’ is a cultivar showcasing even more feathery plumes than other varieties. The reason: its inflorescences consist of pure white double flowers, becoming increasingly airy as they bloom. They sway above large, deeply cut leaves of bright green.

Standing at 1 m tall and 60 cm wide, this large Meadowsweet will weave its way into the heart of a summer-cool border, among other tall, elegant perennials, such as Aconites, comfreys, and the poetic Goat’s-beards.

Filipendula ulmaria ‘Plena’

Filipendula ulmaria 'Aurea': a very bright foliage

At ‘Aurea’, the foliage explores numerous shades of soft green and bright lemon green in spring, turning to pale green by the end of the season. These large, glossy leaves welcome a charming white feathery flowering in the middle of summer. This variety combines contrasts with subtle tones of fresh colours.

This small specimen, not exceeding 60 cm in height, brings true light to borders, in both small and large gardens.

Paired with the acid green hues of Euphorbia cyparissias, or with a Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, it will create a scene that blends freshness and simplicity.

Filipendula ulmaria ‘Aurea’ (© FD Richards)

For further reading

• Find all our varieties of Filipendula
• Discover everything you need to know with our complete guide on Filipendula