Thalictrum alpinum
alpine meadow rue
A compact perennal forming a mound of blue-green, divided leaves with three lobed leaflets up to 1cm wide. Short stems bear clusters of small flowers in late spring and early summer; each flower has a bell-shaped calyx of green-purple sepals enclosing purple stamens tipped with yellow
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple Yellow | Green Blue | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Purple Yellow | Green Blue | ||
| Autumn | Green Blue | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Thalictrum can be rhizomatous or tuberous perennials with ternately or pinnately divided, often attractive foliage, and panicles or racemes of small flowers with showy stamens and sometimes large colourful petal-like sepals
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Temp. N. Hemisphere
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Faded flower stems can be cut back in late autumn or in spring before new growth starts emerging
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions
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