Troubleshooting
Meadowsweet problems — and how to fix them
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Powdery mildew
A common late-season problem showing as grey-white film on leaves, worsened by dry roots; keep soil moist and improve airflow.
Drought scorch
Brown, crisping leaf margins and wilting appear quickly in dry soil; this wetland plant must never dry out, so mulch heavily and irrigate.
Rust
Orange spore pustules can spot the foliage in damp, crowded plantings; remove affected leaves and avoid overhead congestion.
Sawfly larvae
Larvae may chew the foliage in early summer; pick off by hand, as damage is usually cosmetic on this vigorous plant.
Prevent meadowsweet problems before they start
Most meadowsweet issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for meadowsweet in general rather than its problems? Read the full meadowsweet care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Meadowsweet problems — FAQ
Why is my meadowsweet powdery mildew?
A common late-season problem showing as grey-white film on leaves, worsened by dry roots; keep soil moist and improve airflow.
Why is my meadowsweet drought scorch?
Brown, crisping leaf margins and wilting appear quickly in dry soil; this wetland plant must never dry out, so mulch heavily and irrigate.
Why is my meadowsweet rust?
Orange spore pustules can spot the foliage in damp, crowded plantings; remove affected leaves and avoid overhead congestion.
Why is my meadowsweet sawfly larvae?
Larvae may chew the foliage in early summer; pick off by hand, as damage is usually cosmetic on this vigorous plant.