FILIPENDULA. Asia, Europe, North America. Herbaceous perennials of the rose family, with several ornamental features. They form dense clumps from thick rootstocks. Each seasonal shoot consists of a spray of intricately divided leaves with toothed, often shiny leaflets, and erect stems carrying hundreds of tiny blossoms, in branched clusters. Most are summer blooming. They are easily grown, differing mostly in degree of drought tolerance. Sun or light shade near the coast, part shade inland, most soils. The following are hardy to 0^oF or less.

hexapetala. Dropwort. This species has nearly flat rosettes of finely dissected, dark green leaves and spreading clusters of white blossoms, usually pink in bud, atop 1-2’ stems. Moderately drought tolerant.

purpurea. A robust species, making 2’ fountains of bright green leaves in spring. These are followed in midsummer by leafy stems to 3’ or more, with massive plumes of tiny, blossoms, light pink in this form, opening over many weeks. It needs constant moisture for best appearance.