Thalictrum 'Black Stockings'

RHS Plant Profile
meadow rue 'Black Stockings'
Award of Garden Merit
Herbaceous Perennial

A tall, herbaceous perennial with lacy foliage and upright, near-black stems to 2m bearing generous sprays of fluffy, bright purplish-pink flowers in mid- to late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical 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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade, though will tolerate a sunny position if not too dry

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring as new growth begins

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut down stems once flowering is over

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions