Thalictrum dioicum

RHS Plant Profile
early meadow rue

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Herbaceous Perennial
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An upright, clump-forming perennial to around 70cm high with blue-green, divided foliage. Flowers are petal-less with yellowish-green stamens (purple in female plants) hanging beneath green sepals instead. These appear from spring to summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in a moist, humus-rich soil in sun or partial shade at the back of the border as a backdrop for other perennials. May require staking, particularly in windy or wetter areas. Protect from strong winds. See staking perennials for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division every 3 to 4 years in spring as new growth begins

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Faded flower stems can be cut back in late autumn or in spring before new growth starts emerging. Cutting back will also prevent self-seeding if this is not required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions