For those gardeners who love the pink floral froth of Filipendula ‘Venusta’, but desire something smaller, ‘Kahome’ is your answer! This dwarf clumping perennial throws branched cotton candy-colored panicles of tiny fragrant flowers above pinnately cut bright green leaves that assume a fern-like quality on young red-infused stems. Equally valued for its lovely effervescent flowers and textural cucumber-scented foliage, Meadowsweet can be massed as a ground cover and added to a border, damp meadow, stream side or cottage garden, where it relishes light shade.

Blooms July–August

Size: 6" – 12" high x 6" – 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Selected by Japanese plant breeder Yohei Hosogai and introduced by the Dutch nursery Walter Blom Plants, this compelling Filipendula multijuga and Filipendula palmata hybrid promotes bold hardy foliage and cut-flower-perfect plumes. Fleecy scented soft pink flowers alight short sturdy stems, swaying above a small-sized compact mound, while vivid crimson-hued veins plus decorative serrated margins artfully enhance the tailored dark green leaves. (pp#23,129)

Blooms June–August

Size: 2-1/2' high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

A statuesque beauty, ‘Venusta’ is distinguished by huge, fluffy cloudlike plumes painted with soft salmon pinks floating above a good-sized, leafy mass of upright stems and jagged, Maple-shaped foliage. Forging an impressive stand in a moist well drained setting, Meadow Sweet seldom needs staking, and makes an airy partner for Trollius ‘ Superbus’.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

This magnificent American native struts a bushy upright pedestal of notched dark green compound foliage with bold 4 to 8 in. lobed terminal leaflets plus paired incised laterals. Swarthy stems bolster the generous perfumed panicles described by diminutive loosely arranged pure white flowers. A leafy back-of-the border mainstay, ‘Venusta Alba’s wispy floral pouffes look especially spectacular when planted in drifts and viewed from afar.

Blooms July–August

Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

Esteemed for its bright golden foliage, this moisture-lover delights with fragrant Astilbe-like clusters of minute creamy white flowers. Upright clump-forming stems are garbed in prominently veined, deeply dissected leaves, which transmute a vivid chartreuse glow as summer approaches.

Companions like Ophiopogon ‘Nigrescens’ and Geranium ‘Espresso’ make ‘Aurea’s lambent accents appear even more exceptional; protection from hot afternoon sun and fertile, moderately wet soil ensure its success.

Blooms July–August.

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Plentiful, petite round buds unfurl effervescent panicles of dainty, cloud-white, double flowers that age with subtle pale pink blushes. Alluring to bees, butterflies and floral designers, the winsome, long-blooming upright flowers light up a trim, prominently veined basal foundation described by toothed, deeply lobed rich green leaves. ‘Multiplex’s old-fashioned meadow-like appeal and smaller carriage merits a front row seat in an adequately moist border or sunny cottage garden.

Blooms June–August

Size: 2' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.