Filipendula 'Kahome'

Filipendula 'Kahome': Pocket-Sized Plumes Where It Stays Damp

'Kahome' takes the big, fluffy meadowsweet look and shrinks it to fit a tiny front border. Feathery rosy-pink plumes float over a low, ferny mound. FULL GLAM, CARRY-ON SIZE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Filipendula 'Kahome'
• Common Name: Dwarf Meadowsweet
• Height: 20–30 cm (8–12 in)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12–18 in)
• Flowers: Feathery plumes of tiny, rosy-pink flowers held just above the leaves
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to late summer (July to August)
• Foliage: Deep green, ferny leaves in a low, tidy mound
• Features: Compact, rabbit resistant, good for cutting

Where to Plant: Use it at the front of a moist border, along the edge of a pond or stream, in a rain garden, or in containers you'll keep watered. It is small enough for edging and tight spaces, and clay soil that holds water suits it well.

Companion Plants: Dianthus 'Paint the Town Fuchsia' sits beside this dwarf meadowsweet with magenta flowers from June to September. Phlomis russeliana rises behind at 90 cm with whorls of yellow flowers from June to August. Symphyotrichum shortii takes over with blue asters from August to October. All three are happy in sun or part sun.

Plant Care: Plant in fertile, humus-rich soil that stays evenly moist. It handles clay and a range of pH. In full sun, consistent moisture is a must. Where the soil dries out, give it some afternoon shade and a layer of mulch. Water deeply during dry spells. Stressed plants can develop powdery mildew in summer, so steady moisture and decent air circulation help keep the leaves clean. Snip off faded plumes if you like, or leave them for texture. Cut the foliage back in late fall or early spring. Divide the clump in early spring every few years to refresh it.

History: Meadowsweets belong to the genus Filipendula, part of the rose family, with species across the cooler parts of Europe, Asia and North America. 'Kahome' is grown and sold as a compact, garden-made selection with Asian parentage.

Final Thoughts: Deer and rabbits leave it alone, so you get every plume. CUT A FEW FOR A TINY BOUQUET AND FEEL VERY FANCY.