Re: Filipendula rubra

> how crucial is it for the above-named perennial to get a lot of
> moisture? Everywhere I've read about this plant it claims that
> it needs a constantly moist soil ... <snip>

yeah, yeah, yeah.... <g>

> Does anyone have success with this plant in otherwise
> less-than-idea conditions?  I'm planning on putting this in
> partial sun (it gets sun all day up to 5:00 pm).  What do you
> have it paired with?  Does it last long in bloom?  Is it a good
> cut flower? (I see visions of this with roses...)

Val, I have filipendula (rubra and others) growing in precisely 
the environment you describe you have.  I wouldn't say it's 
super-dry, but neither is it moist by any definition.  It is in 
some light shade (late afternoon).  Believe it or not, it is 
right in a bed there with boltonia, buddleia, thalictrum, 
dianthus, veronicas and a bunch of herbs like sage (!) in 
amended rocky clay soil.  What seems to be more significant than 
moisture (this is a totally non-scientific conclusion ~ based 
solely on my experiences) is shading the lower part of the plant 
at the hottest part of the day ... similar to clematis.  

I love filipendulas.  They have a moderately long bloom-time 
(a few weeks to a month-ish) but it's similar to something like 
.... say foxglove, where the earlier blossoms can get ratty 
while the rest are fresh.  So you have to trim a little for 
cutting.  I don't mind that in the garden.  You probably will 
need to use supports or use surrounding plants to help hold up 
the long, long stems.

They are stunning cut & I think they would be awesome with 
roses.  What a great alternative to the lightening effect of 
baby's breath.  

If you are interested, there are several other Filipendulas and 
a couple of recent cultivars, I would be more than happy to post 
more info once I get this current flush of work completed.  If 
you like Filipendula and aren't familiar with the Thalictrums, 
you might want to consider those, too.  :)

Jaime, always willing to drag someone kicking and screaming into 
a new genus addiction.  
jknoble@warwick.net
USDA Zone 6/5; NW NJ

I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@mallorn.com with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index