Filipendula ulmaria 'Aurea'

This delightful plant, highly prized in England, deserves to be more widely known in the US. Filipendula ulmaria 'Aurea' makes a 2' wide clump, starting with the cutleaf basal foliage that resembles golden tansy. As the flowering stalk expands to 30", it too is clothed in bright golden foliage...a beacon in light shade. In midsummer, the clumps are topped with spikes of fragrant white flowers, but the real reason to grow this is the foliage. After flowering, we like to cut our clumps to the ground, where they quickly rejuvenate for a great fall show. Moist soil is best, although our clumps have been amazingly tolerant of short-term drought. In cooler climates, the height may exceed 3' tall.