Filipendula vulgaris (dropwort, "Rokubenshimotsuke")

Japanese name: ロクベンシモツケ （六弁下野）
Scientific name: Filipendula vulgaris

[Overview]
A perennial 60–90 cm tall, growing in its native habitat in sunny, dry limestone grassland.
When the leaves or roots are damaged, they smell of methyl salicylate.
The tips of the roots swell, forming many blackish brown, spindle-shaped tuberous roots.
The stem is erect.
The leaves are of two kinds, basal leaves and leaves alternate on the stem; they are mainly basal and form a rosette, and only a few stem leaves are produced.
The leaves are odd-pinnately compound, 10–25 cm long, and the leaflets, about 2.5 cm long, are further pinnately divided, giving the impression of a fern.
Conical cymes at the stem tips bear many small, creamy white, six-petaled flowers.
The long stamens are conspicuous.
The flowers have a sweet fragrance.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers fertile soil with sun, good drainage and good ventilation.
It dislikes acidic soil.
In areas with hot summers, it is best grown in partial shade.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny weather continues in summer and the soil dries out.
If a base fertilizer is applied, no further fertilizer is particularly necessary, but for potted plants, diluted liquid fertilizer may be given once a month during the growing season.
There are no particular pests or diseases, but powdery mildew may occur.

View this page in Japanese (日本語)