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Our native Irish Meadowsweet plants can be seen growing along wet ditches and in wet fields. Their fern-like, divided leaves and tall greenish-white clouds of scented flowers up to 120cm tall cover the plant from June to September. The almond scented flowers are loved by bees and butterflies and are followed by interesting, corkscrew-shaped seeds.
Meadowsweet's herbal uses had a base in scientific fact, in common with many other folk and herbal remedies. In the 19th century, chemists isolated salicylic acid from Meadowsweet. The acid was a disinfectant so it not only made rooms smell better but helped the fight against bacteria. It was a painkiller and anti-inflammatory but hard on the stomach. Only after it was synthesised did it become an acceptable candidate for mass production and sold in tablet form as 'aspirin' – 'a' for acetyl and ' –spirin' for Spirea, the original botanical name for Meadowsweet.
Companion plants would be tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) as they often grow in similar, very wet habitats. Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) is excellent for bright yellow color contrast in wet areas. Plants that help manage pests and attract pollinators would be Monarda as it attracts beneficial insects that control whiteflies.Yarrow (Achillea) deters spider mites. Texture & Structure Partners would be Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum). Sedges (Carex spp.). Provide structural contrast with their grassy, architectural shapes.
Prefers moist soil, in sun or partial shade.
Our native Irish Meadowsweet plants can be seen growing along wet ditches and in wet fields. Their fern-like, divided leaves and tall greenish-white clouds of scented flowers up to 120cm tall cover the plant from June to September. The almond scented flowers are loved by bees and butterflies and are followed by interesting, corkscrew-shaped seeds.
Meadowsweet's herbal uses had a base in scientific fact, in common with many other folk and herbal remedies. In the 19th century, chemists isolated salicylic acid from Meadowsweet. The acid was a disinfectant so it not only made rooms smell better but helped the fight against bacteria. It was a painkiller and anti-inflammatory but hard on the stomach. Only after it was synthesised did it become an acceptable candidate for mass production and sold in tablet form as 'aspirin' – 'a' for acetyl and ' –spirin' for Spirea, the original botanical name for Meadowsweet.
Companion plants would be tufted Vetch (Vicia cracca), Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) as they often grow in similar, very wet habitats. Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) is excellent for bright yellow color contrast in wet areas. Plants that help manage pests and attract pollinators would be Monarda as it attracts beneficial insects that control whiteflies.Yarrow (Achillea) deters spider mites. Texture & Structure Partners would be Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum). Sedges (Carex spp.). Provide structural contrast with their grassy, architectural shapes.
Prefers moist soil, in sun or partial shade.