Thalictrum reniforme
kidney-shaped meadow rue
An erect, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial up to 1.8m high, with three-pinnate leaves, up to 20cm long, of broadly ovate, orbicular-ovate, or rhombic-obovate, grey-green leaflets, softly hairy beneath, and panicles 20-30cm long of flowers about 2cm across of long, pointed, pale lilac-pink sepals and creamy stamens and pistils from midsummer to early autumn; honeybees visit Thalictrum flowers for pollen
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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 | Green Grey Silver | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver | Cream Pink Purple | Green Grey Silver | |
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | Cream Pink Purple | Green Grey Silver | |
| 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 GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moisture-retentive, humus-rich but well-drained soil in full or partial shade, and provide support if necessary, for example by growing among shrubs. See staking perennials for further advice.
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or in early spring, or 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
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