Thalictrum finetii B. Boivin

RHS Plant Profile

Kyushu meadow rue

Herbaceous Perennial

A compact, upright, clump-forming perennial to around 100cm high with blue-green, divided foliage and sprays of dark, lavender-purple flowers held above the foliage from June to August

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 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

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