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Old 03-08-2007, 10:15 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening
Dave Poole Dave Poole is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Jan 2004
Location: Torquay S. Devon
Posts: 478
Default giant pink meadowsweet

I don't know if this helps, but F.palmata is a valid species with
several variants and quite a few cultivars have become available over
the years. It seems to be rather variable with relative dwarfs and
semi-giants cropping up from time to time. F. palmata 'rubra' is one
of the better known varieties with bronzed leaves, red tinted buds
that open reddish pink before fading eventually to white. Growth is
to about 5 feet when in full flower although plants grown in drier
soil will be somewhat shorter.

It should not be confused with the deep green-leaved, paler flowered
F. rubra, which is a very much larger plant growing to 8 feet or so on
a good, rich, very moist (or wet!) soil. Whereas F.palmata originates
from eastern Russia down through to China, F. rubra is a native of the
eastern states of the US.

HTH