For a short time in early summer this elegant prairie plant bears fuzzy, pink clusters of flowers. The impressive blooms give credence to the common name, queen-of-the-prairie. Like many herbaceous perennials adapted to the vast prairies of eastern North America, it is fully herbaceous, very hardy and a perfect partner to attractive bunch grasses. It is tall and forms a substantial bushy, upright, clump that will slowly spread over time.
Large, deeply lobed, almost maple-like leaves grace this substantial garden plant from spring to fall. The leaves are coarsely toothed, medium to light green and have one to seven lobes. The stems are green to reddish green. For about three weeks in midsummer the plants produce tall, sturdy stems that rise above the foliage. These become topped with branched clusters of small, pink, five petaled flowers with long, white stamens that lend the clusters a light, foamy look. The lightly fragrant flowers are primarily pollinated by bees and beetles but butterflies also visit them.
Full to partial sun is required for best growth and flowering. Grow queen-of-the-prairie in moist, fertile, organic-rich soil with a neutral to slightly acid pH. It is not drought tolerant, so be sure to supply it with regular water during dry periods. Its spent foliage should be cut back in fall after a couple of hard frosts. This is the best time to divide it too. This tall perennial wildflower is ideal for naturalistic borders and prairie gardens. It looks super planted with bunch grasses and colorful summer bloomers. (info source: Learn2Grow.com)
Genus - Filipendula
Species - Rubra
Common name - Queen of the Prairie
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 3 - 9
Height - 6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m
Spread - 3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
Plant type - Perennial
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Loam, Well Drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Wildflower
Germination rate - 90%
Bloom season - Early Summer, Summer
Leaf / Flower color - Green / Rose - Pink
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Place the seeds in a glass bowl and cover with room temperature water. Allow the seeds to soak for a minimum of 24 hours. 2. Wrap the seeds in moist coffee filter and place in ziplock bag. 3. Place the sealed bag in the bottom of the refrigerator. This will serve as the cold stratification. The seeds need to be kept at 34 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit (~+2C- +4C) for 60 days. 4. After the stratification plant the seeds on the surface, tamp the soil. 5. Keep in warm and bright place. Keep moist, do not over water. |