Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

A sweetly scented water plant, valued as an addition to drinks.

Photograph copyright — Patsy Collins

Filipendula ulmaria is a large hardy perennial plant, that’s native to Britain. It prefers a rich and very moist alkaline soil but will grow almost anywhere the soil is neither too dry nor too acid. It’s often found along river banks and in the water meadows which contribute half of its common name.