Thalictrum delavayi 'Ankum'
Chinese meadow rue 'Ankum'
An erect, clump-forming, rhizomatous herbaceous perennial up to 2m high, with dark purple stems, green leaves, and pyramidal panicles of flowers of soft lilac sepals and creamy stamens and pistils in summer; honeybees visit Thalictrum flowers for pollen
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Cream Purple | Green | |
| Autumn | Purple | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moisture-retentive, humus-rich but well-drained soil in partial shade, and provide support if necessary, for example by growing among shrubs. See staking perennials for further advice.
Propagation
Propagate by division as new growth begins in spring; divisions may be slow to re-establish
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.