Thalictrum flavum

RHS Plant Profile

common meadow rue

Other common names

false rhubarb, fen rue, maidenhair meadow rue, poor man's rhubarb, small meadow rue, yellow meadow rue

Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming deciduous perennial about 1m tall, with highly divided, lacey green leaves to 40cm long, and in summer narrow terminal panicles of fluffy lemon yellow flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay, Chalk

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay Chalk

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral or Acid or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
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: Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade; can tolerate drier soil and more sun than many other species. May need staking. See staking perennials for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Faded flower stems can be cut back in late autumn or in spring before new growth starts emerging

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews