Thalictrum delavayi 'Album'

RHS Plant Profile
Chinese meadow rue 'Album'
Herbaceous Perennial

An upright, herbaceous perennial growing to around 1.5m, with pale green leaves divided into many small oblong leaflets, turning yellow-brown in the autumn. Large, open panicles of white flowers 2cm in width with prominent stamens, appear in summer

Position

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
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

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, 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

Grow in moist, humus-rich soil in partial shade. May need staking. See staking perennials for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed in pots in a cold frame as soon as seed is ripe or in early spring. Propagate by division in spring as new growth begins

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

In late autumn or early winter the faded flower stems cam be cut back to ground level to tidy the plant if required.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews in dry conditions