Thalictrum flavum 'Illuminator'

RHS Plant Profile

meadow rue 'Illuminator'

Synonyms

Thalictrum 'Illumination'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming deciduous perennial to 1m tall, with deeply divided bright green foliage which emerges in spring yellow-green in colour with bronze flushes to the tips and in summer clusters of fluffy, fragrant lemon yellow flowers are produced

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay, Chalk

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay Chalk

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral or Acid or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–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): H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, humus-rich soil, best partial shade but can tolerate drier soil and more sun than many other species. May need staking. See staking perennials for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division as new growth begins in spring; divisions may be slow to re-establish

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Faded flower stems can be cut back in late autumn or in spring before new growth starts emerging

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews