Plant Library

Other Names:  Martha Washington's Plume, Meadowsweet

Description:

This variety forms a sturdy, upright bush with a pleasant appearance; large panicles of pink flowers appear in summer, contrasting the deep green foliage; good for a moist border or pondside; great cut flower

Ornamental Features

Venusta Queen Of The Prairie features delicate panicles of pink flowers with red anthers at the ends of the stems from mid to late summer, which emerge from distinctive rose flower buds. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its serrated narrow compound leaves remain emerald green in colour throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Venusta Queen Of The Prairie is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Venusta Queen Of The Prairie is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Venusta Queen Of The Prairie will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.