Item Tag: 14 Days

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) – 50 Seeds •Heirloom •Non-GMO •American grown seeds •Perennial •USDA Zones: 3-8 Description: Meadowsweet is known by many other names. In Chaucer’s The Knight’s Tale it is known as meadwort and was one of the ingredients in a drink called “save”. It was also known as bridewort, because it was strewn in churches for festivals and weddings, and often made into bridal garlands. In Europe, it took its name “queen of the meadow” for the way it can dominate a low-lying, damp meadow. It can be found throughout most of Europe and Western Asia. The plant contains concentrations of salicylic acid, the chemical used to make aspirin. This plant has been used to treat fever, stomach ulcers, headaches, and is used in magick for love, peace, and happiness. Meadowsweet blooms from early Summer to early Autumn, with delicate densely-packed clusters of tiny creamy-white flowers. *The Latin name Spiraea ulmaria is synonymous with the Latin name Filipendula ulmaria. Planting Instructions: Meadowsweet seeds require light to germinate, so they perform best when surface sown. Scatter two or three seeds across the surface of the medium with approximately 1 inch of space between them. The seeds must be lightly pressed onto the surface so they are firmly anchored to the soil. A thin layer of medium-grade perlite spread over the soil surface allows light to reach the seeds while still holding moisture around them. Mist the perlite with water so it settles onto the seeds. The germination process is fairly straightforward for meadowsweet seeds, although it is somewhat slow. In temperate climates where frosts are rare, the pots can be kept outdoors in a bright, sheltered location from sowing time until the seeds sprout in spring. The most important factor apart from light exposure is moisture because the seeds may die or germinate poorly if kept too wet or too dry. Probe the medium with your fingertip every day to gauge the moisture level. Using a spray bottle, moisten the top 2 inches of the medium. Don’t let the medium dry out completely on the surface, but avoid making it sopping wet. Viable, healthy meadowsweet seeds germinate within three months in spring when daytime temperatures top 70 degrees. Meadowsweet plants form dense, spreading clumps, so they must be provided with adequate room to grow. Remove all but the strongest seedling from each pot so it can produce a robust network of roots. Provide light shade and regular, deep watering’s during the summer months to prevent heat stress, then slowly acclimate the plant to direct sun in early autumn approximately two weeks before planting them. Meadowsweet plants perform best when planted in consistently moist, mildly alkaline soil, so amend the soil with limestone to increase its pH, if the soil is highly acidic. •FREE SHIPPING on all orders of $35 or more. •Flat Rate shipping no matter how many seeds you order. •Growing instructions included on each seed packet. *All information is provided for educational purposes only.