Queen of the Meadow · Aspirin's Ancestor · Mead Wort · 100 Seeds

How to Grow Meadowsweet from Seed
Filipendula ulmaria — Bridewort · Lady of the Meadow

Salicylic acid — the active compound in aspirin — was first isolated from this plant in 1838. Fragrant cream-white flower heads in July–August, valued since antiquity to flavour mead and wine. A magnificent perennial for wet garden positions where little else thrives.

100 PCSSeeds per pack
Jul–AugFlowering season
60–120 cmHeight in flower
Zone 3−40°C hardy
Filipendula ulmaria meadowsweet white frothy flower heads riverbank
SALE
−40%
SKU: T66 · Oreshka Seeds
Meadowsweet — Filipendula ulmaria
100 PCS fresh seeds · Wetland perennial herb · Rosaceae
€5.00 €8.33

100 seeds per pack · In stock (12 packs) · Ships worldwide in 2–3 days

Detailed Buy

The plant

What is Meadowsweet — the Plant That Gave Us Aspirin?

Filipendula ulmaria is a perennial herbaceous plant native to wet meadows, riverbanks, fens, and damp woodland edges across Europe and western Asia, growing from the British Isles to Siberia. It produces tall stems (60–120 cm) topped with large, frothy panicles of hundreds of tiny, intensely fragrant cream-white flowers in July and August. The fragrance — sweet, almond-like, with honey and vanilla notes — is one of the most distinctive of any European wildflower, intensifying at dusk.

The plant's connection to aspirin is direct and well-documented. Salicylic acid was first isolated from Filipendula ulmaria (then classified as Spiraea ulmaria) in 1838. The name 'aspirin' was coined by Bayer in 1897 from the old genus name Spiraea. The plant had been used in traditional medicine for centuries before this discovery — as a fever remedy, a pain reliever, and an anti-inflammatory — precisely because of its natural salicylate content. It remains in herbal use today as a gentler, food-derived alternative to synthetic aspirin.

Mead wort — the original flavouring for mead: Before hops became the dominant flavouring for fermented drinks in the Middle Ages, Filipendula ulmaria flowers were one of the primary flavourings for mead — the ancient honey wine of Northern Europe. The name 'mead wort' reflects this. Queen Elizabeth I reportedly ordered meadowsweet to be strewn on the floors of her apartments above all other herbs for its fragrance. It was also 'bridewort' — used to garland brides and fragrance wedding halls. This history of fragrance use is why 100 seeds are included in our pack — for planting in quantity to fill a garden with its remarkable July scent.
Oreshka Seeds — Expert Note

Consistent moisture is the single key requirement — meadowsweet thrives where other plants struggle. Outstanding for bog gardens and pond margins. 100 seeds per pack. About our collection →

Quick facts

Filipendula ulmaria at a Glance

Native RangeEurope to Siberia · wet meadows · fens
USDA ZoneZone 3 · −40°C
FloweringJuly–August · strongly fragrant
Height60–120 cm in flower
SoilMoist to wet · pH 5.5–7.0
UseHerbal · culinary · mead · bog garden

Growing guide

How to Grow Meadowsweet from Seed — Step by Step

  1. 01
    Cold Stratification — 4 to 6 Weeks
    Refrigerate seeds in moist sand at 2–4°C for 4–6 weeks before spring sowing. Or sow directly outdoors in autumn — the simplest method, requiring no equipment. Winter provides natural cold stratification and seeds germinate reliably in March–April when temperatures rise. Autumn outdoor sowing into a moist, shaded seedbed produces vigorous, well-established plants ready to flower in their first full season.
  2. 02
    Sow Shallowly — Moisture-Retentive Compost
    Sow stratified seeds at the surface to 0.3 cm deep onto moist, moisture-retentive compost. Do not use free-draining mixes — Filipendula ulmaria is a moisture-loving plant and dry compost inhibits germination. Keep consistently moist throughout. Cover with glass or clear film. Keep at 12–18°C in bright indirect light. The requirement for consistent moisture begins at the seed stage and never changes throughout the plant's life.
  3. 03
    Germination — 2 to 6 Weeks
    Seeds germinate in 14–42 days at 12–18°C after stratification. Seedlings emerge with narrow paired seed leaves followed by the distinctive pinnate (feather-shaped) true leaves of Filipendula. Prick out into individual pots of moisture-retentive compost when the first true leaf appears. Keep consistently moist — young plants that dry out even briefly set back significantly. Grow on in cool, bright conditions.
  4. 04
    First Season — Building the Rhizome
    Filipendula ulmaria grows actively through its first season, building the thick, persistent rhizome. Plant out into the garden from early summer or grow on in large moisture-retentive pots. Full sun to partial shade. Water regularly in average garden soil — daily during dry summer spells. In boggy ground, pond margins, or rain garden positions, it thrives without supplemental watering. Mulch well to maintain soil moisture.
  5. 05
    Plant Out — Wet Conditions Preferred
    Plant in permanent position in the first or second year. Ideal: full sun to partial shade, consistently moist to wet soil, pH 5.5–7.0. Filipendula ulmaria is outstanding for pond margins, bog gardens, rain gardens, and waterside planting — positions where few other ornamental perennials grow vigorously. In average garden borders, water regularly and mulch deeply. Space 45–60 cm. The rhizome spreads slowly to form a clump; divide every 3–4 years to rejuvenate.
  6. 06
    Flowering and Aftercare — July to August
    First flowers appear in year two from spring sowing; year one from autumn sowing. Stems reach 60–120 cm, topped with large panicle inflorescences of hundreds of tiny cream-white flowers — the fragrance is remarkable at close range and carries across the garden in warm evening air. Flowers attract hoverflies, small bees, and beetles in abundance. After flowering, cut stems back to the basal rosette. The rhizome re-sprouts each spring indefinitely — established plants require no replanting.
Pro Tip — From the Oreshka Collection

Meadowsweet flower syrup is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to use this plant. At peak flower in July, gather freshly opened flower heads (before they begin to brown). Place 200 g of flower heads in a pan with 500 ml water and 400 g sugar. Heat gently until sugar dissolves — do not boil, which destroys the delicate fragrance. Cool, strain, and bottle. The syrup keeps refrigerated for 3–4 weeks. Use in sparkling water, cocktails, lemonade, panna cotta, and ice cream. The flavour is sweet, almond-like, and unmistakeably distinctive — impossible to replicate with any other ingredient. One established plant provides enough flowers for several batches per season.

Compare

Meadowsweet vs. Astilbe vs. Aruncus dioicus

Feature Filipendula ulmaria
Meadowsweet · T66		 Astilbe × arendsii
Garden Astilbe		 Aruncus dioicus
Goat's Beard
USDA ZoneZone 3 · −40°CZone 4 · −34°CZone 3 · −40°C
FragranceStrongly fragrant · almond-honeyNoneNone
Soil moistureMoist to wet · bog-gardenMoist · dislikes droughtMoist to average
Medicinal useYes — salicylate source · aspirin ancestorNoneNone
Seeds per pack100 PCSTypically 20–50Typically 20–50
Culinary useFlowers — syrup · cordial · meadNoneNone

Avoid these

Common Mistakes When Growing Meadowsweet from Seed

Allowing to dry out at any stage

Filipendula ulmaria cannot tolerate prolonged drought. In average garden soil without irrigation, plants wilt, set back, and produce fewer flowers. Position in consistently moist soil or water daily in dry weather. This is the non-negotiable requirement for this plant throughout its life.

Planting in dry, free-draining soil

Sandy, stony, or sharply free-draining soils are unsuitable without intensive irrigation. Meadowsweet is a wetland plant that thrives where soil is wet enough to exclude most other species. The wetter the position — bog gardens, pond margins, rainwater retention areas — the better it performs.

Harvesting flowers before they fully open

The fragrance of meadowsweet flowers is released only when the flowers are fully open. Tight buds have little scent. For syrup, cordial, or tea, harvest only fully opened flower heads — they should be cream-white, fluffy, and fragrant. Brown or fading flowers are past their peak. The harvest window is 2–3 weeks in July–August.

Confusing with Spiraea shrubs

Filipendula ulmaria is a herbaceous perennial (dies back in winter), not to be confused with Spiraea shrubs (woody, permanent stems). The old genus name Spiraea ulmaria caused confusion historically — the aspirin connection belongs to Filipendula ulmaria, not to modern Spiraea garden shrubs, which have no significant salicylate content.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the historical connection between Meadowsweet and aspirin?
Salicylic acid was first isolated from Filipendula ulmaria (then classified as Spiraea ulmaria) in 1838 by German chemist Karl Jacob Löwig. When Bayer synthesised the acetyl derivative in 1897 as a less irritating pain reliever, they named it aspirin — from the old genus name Spiraea. Meadowsweet had been used in traditional European herbal medicine for centuries before this discovery precisely because of its salicylate content.
Why was Meadowsweet called 'mead wort'?
Meadowsweet flowers were used to flavour mead — the ancient fermented honey drink of Northern Europe — before hops became the dominant flavouring in the Middle Ages. The sweet, almond-like fragrance contributed both aroma and flavour. It was also used to flavour wine, vinegar, and ale. Queen Elizabeth I reportedly favoured meadowsweet above all other strewing herbs for her apartments. The name 'bridewort' refers to its use at weddings for fragrance.
Does Meadowsweet need wet soil?
Filipendula ulmaria grows naturally on riverbanks, fens, and wet meadows where soil is consistently moist to waterlogged. It performs best in these conditions and is outstanding for bog gardens and pond margins. In average garden soil it grows well with regular watering and deep mulching, but prolonged drought causes wilting and reduces flowering. It cannot tolerate free-draining, sandy soils without supplemental irrigation.
Is Meadowsweet a good plant for pollinators?
Yes — Filipendula ulmaria is a significant source of pollen and nectar for hoverflies, small native bees, beetles, and soldier beetles in July–August. The large, open flower clusters are accessible to short-tongued insects. In wet meadow habitats, meadowsweet is often the dominant flowering plant in July and provides a large proportion of midsummer insect food in these ecosystems.
Can Meadowsweet be used in cooking?
Yes — the flowers have a sweet, almond-like fragrance that translates into a distinctive flavour in syrups, cordials, desserts, and meadowsweet tea. Meadowsweet flower syrup (steep fresh flowers in sugar syrup without boiling) is one of the most elegant and unusual flavourings available from the garden. It keeps refrigerated for 3–4 weeks. Individuals with salicylate sensitivity (aspirin allergy) should avoid medicinal use of meadowsweet.
How large does Meadowsweet grow?
Filipendula ulmaria grows 60–120 cm in height when in flower, with a basal rosette of large pinnate leaves up to 30 cm long. In optimal wet conditions it can exceed 150 cm. The thick rhizome expands slowly to form clumps 50–80 cm wide over several years. It dies back completely to the rhizome in winter and re-sprouts in spring. The foliage is attractive throughout the growing season — dark green, deeply veined, and corrugated along the veins.

Aspirin's Ancestor — Queen of the Wet Meadow

100 fresh seeds · Zone 3 · Fragrant July flowers · Bog garden · Herbal & culinary use · Ships worldwide

Buy Seeds — €5.00 → Sale −40% · SKU T66 · 100 PCS · Filipendula ulmaria · Oreshka Seeds