Filipendula rubra

Germination

Sow in a cold frame in autumn. Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost. Just cover seed with a sprinkling of soil. Allow natural winter cold to offer ideal conditions for germination to occur as the weather warms in spring. Will require 6 weeks at 5°C approx. Ideal germination temp. 20°C. Germination can be a little slow. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to individual pots and grow on. Plant out after danger of frost has passed.

Growing

Prefers a fertile, humus-rich, moist soil in partial sun. Will not tolerate waterlogged soils. Ideal for wet woodlands, damp meadows, ditches or pond margins.

Cultivation

Will self-seed, deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season. Cut the plant back after flowering ceases. Propagate by seed or by division in spring. In a sunny location the plant will spread via seed. If you wish to sow this fresh seed do so immediately in autumn. In a shadier location the plant will spread via its rhizatomous root.