Thalictrum orientale

RHS Plant Profile
oriental meadow rue

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oriental meadow rue John Fielding
Herbaceous Perennial

A compact, mat-forming rhizomatous perennial growing to a height of around 20-30cm.Leaves are dark green, bipinnate and alternate and small pink flowers are produced from May until June. A great addition to wildlife gardens and beds and borders.

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
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
S Europe, SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in a moist, humus-rich soil in part shade; growth will be less vigorous if grown in full shade. Will tolerate full sun if soil is kept consistently moist

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging

Pruning

Cut down stems after flowering unless seed is required

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews